Down with Denim

From the designer runways to women’s fashion magazine spreads, the style forecast for fall calls for a heaping helping of denim in every fit, shade and silhouette. To help women wear the season’s top denimwear ideas correctly, the experts at Dish Jeans Ltd., makers of the contemporary label Dish, offer their take on looking stylishly updated in fashion’s hottest fabric.
Denim on Denim – Once a fashion don’t, mixing denim with denim is the season’s new do. The way to pull it off seamlessly without overdoing it is all a matter of degrees. Remember to combine light shades with dark ones to avoid a monochromatic look. To this end, Dish offers layering pieces, including shirts, vests and skinny jeans, in varying shades of denim that fall together harmoniously so women stay on the right side of this hot trend

Pretty in Plaid – The preppy appeal of a plaid shirt is a perfect companion to the sea of blue denim in hot trend colors such as purple and teal. Dish’s version, worn with a denim pencil skirt in a sophisticated dark wash, is flirty with a softly ruffled collar for a decidedly feminine interpretation of this classic menswear pattern.

Flares with Flair – The skinny jean trend has worn thin and a more relaxed silhouette freshens the look of denim in a trio of flared-leg styles from Dish: a low-rise trouser, Dish’s popular Deseray style for curvy bodies, and a classic flare with a fanny-flattering fit that recalls disco-era jeans.

Zipper Accents – The best way to stand apart from the crowd is to wear a great-fitting jean with an eye-catching design detail and zippers are the hands-down favorite for fall. Dish’s legging has figure-enhancing benefits with ergonomic side seams that skim and slim the outer edge of the thigh, curving around the knee and slant toward the front of the leg, ending in a long zipper opening that gives the legging extra pizzazz.

The Chambray Shirtdress – What better silhouette to wear in the comfort of lightweight chambray than the shirtdress? This easy, casual style gets a feminine shape from Dish with strategically placed front seams that open into pockets at the waist. In a mini length, it’s the perfect complement to shapely legs dressed in stylish tights, another must-have fall accessory.

pam@dressraleigh.com
www.dressraleigh.com

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Raise your Glass of Bubbly

So the dress is bought, the shoes picked out. You know what hairstyle you’ll be wearing and your nail (and eyebrow waxing) appointment was scheduled six months ago. Everything is set, except of course, all that is not. The zipper on your dress suddenly gets stuck halfway up and aliens have decided to use your forehead as a landing pad for their experimental pimple outbreak. With only three days before the New Year, this is definitely one of those code red emergencies. But stressing over the minor details, you’ll just aggravate the situation as opposed to fixing it. Read on for some speedy weight loss tips, ways to clear your skin and the formula for a great New Year’s Eve. How to Look Great on
New Year's Eve Tip #1 Water: Drink It
Try to eliminate soda and any carbonated drinks before the big day. Let the water cleanse your system and fill you up. Because dehydration is often mistaken for hunger, drinking more water will also protect you from binging.

How to Look Great on New Year's Eve Tip #2 Gas: Avoid It
avoid foods that will make you bloated, including (but is not limited to): beans, peas, broccoli, cucumbers, pickles, onions, apples, bananas, wheat products, eggs, carbonated drinks and cream. In addition, avoid swallowing air. Yes, air. Avoid drinking from straws (easy with water) and bottles with narrow openings.

How to Look Great on New Year's Eve Tip # 3 Spanx: Wear It
If you hate water, love beans and don’t care enough to stress over excess pounds and bloating (but still want to look good), you're in luck because of one revolutionary product: SPANX!

How to Look Great on New Year's Eve Tip # 4 Skin: Treat It
Pimples suck. But they suck even more after you pop them and create scars on your face. The best way to treat a pimple is to leave it alone and apply acne medication.

How to Look Great on New Year's Eve Tip # 5 Tan: Fake It
Instead of basking in those artificial UV rays, opt for tinted moisturizer. Not only will this save your skin from looking like a leather purse, but you’ll also have control over how tan (or not tan) you want to look.

Cheers!
pam@dressraleigh.com
www.dressraleigh.com

Tights for A Statement

Fall's new legwear has taken the conservative looks of seasons past and splashed them with stripes, dots, checks, and color blocks for gaze-at-me gams.

"Patterned and textured legwear was all over the runways this year," says Maggie Adams, trend expert and spokesperson for Spanx. "I think women love it because it's a fun, easy and affordable way to update existing outfits in your closet."

Here are some tips from hosiery pros on how to wear the patterned tight trend. It's time to show your spots...And stripes...And lace...And plaids...And ....

Bob and Weave: "Open weave styles in vertical patterns elongate the leg and are popular this fall," says Spanx's Adams. "Also, classic and vintage-inspired patterns like houndstooth, diamond, Swiss dot and back seams have been top picks for Spanx fans. They are chic, sexy and still totally appropriate for the office."

Easy Update: ""Patterned hosiery adds a little something extra to your overall look," says Adam Sakara of La Fée Verte. "It's the easiest way to update your wardrobe for the season and make a statement without having to redo your closet for fall."

Added Edge: "Patterned tights add instant edge to a LBD and are perfect for extra coverage in a mini," Adams says. "As far as footwear goes, patterned tights with peep-toe booties are perfect for ladies who want to be on top of the latest trends. But, a classic platform pump is always a safe bet."

Make a Statement: "For the fashion-forward, opt for legwear that makes a statement and mix and match it with other patterns, colors and textures," Adams says. "For example, pair a diamond-patterned tight with a floral print dress or a Swiss dot sheer with a tartan pencil skirt."

Shine On: "Be confident in your choice (of tights) and use them as your statement piece," says Donna Karan's Cathy Volker. "Metallics and lace are a great wardrobe addition. Adding a few pairs this season will help update your holiday wardrobe without breaking the bank on party dresses."

Don't be afraid to be bold and fashion forward!
pam@dressraleigh.com
919.699.6505
www.dressraleigh.com

peaceandlove

Winter White

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? This lusciously stark color is actually just right for frigid temperatures, since it's so evocative of snow and Winter solitude. To wear Winter white, just be sure to choose textures—like leather, wool, and bouclé—that are undoubtedly wintery, rather than something like eyelet or linen that looks better suited to springtime. Also, don't be afraid to pair your whites with darker, high-contrast duds.

Here are a few tricks for you!

1. Dress for the season. If you're going to wear a white dress in winter, pair it with opaque black tights and shoes, or a dark cardigan on top, or even leggings underneath. No tank tops or sundresses allowed.

2. Mind your texture. A rich fabric makes all the difference when you're wearing winter white. Cashmere, wool, tweed, cable knit, angora, even denim and corduroy all have a depth of texture that make them total Dos for winter white. They're cozy enough that you'll look pulled together, while light summer fabrics like cotton, linen, or chiffon make you look terribly out of place in chilly January.

3. Go one shade off. Pure white (we're talking lily, wedding dress, wite-out white) is best left to a time when you've got tan legs. Choose a color that's slightly off-white, in the cream, ivory, or ecru family for maximum winter white effect. Still feeling self-conscious in such a light color? Give it some weight with a chocolate brown boot or a dark leather accessory, so people know you're aware of what season it is.

www.dressraleigh.com
919.699.6505
pam@dressraleigh.com

peaceandlove