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

peaceandlove

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

More to Life than the LBD

The LBD (Little Black Dress) had always been a wardrobe staple for us ladies. Though an essential piece to have in your collection...there are so many other options out there! While gearing up for your Holiday events, cocktail parties, and offices parties...keep in mind some of your other fun choices!

Sequins are something that I personally can't get enough of this season! Once considered only for the brave, it is now everywhere! Step out in a sequined on shoulder top and pair with black pants or even winter white pants! If one shoulder isn't personally for you, try a gold or silver sequined tank under your favorite cardigan!

For those dames daring enough...opt for the colored sequined dress! Show off your confident side (and be the center of attention) by pairing with a great pair of black pumps, your most preferred color of lipstick and a smile!

As mentioned earlier, one shoulder is all the rage! The great thing about the one shoulder look, is that you can decide on your favorite color, then pair with solid black tights to tone down your colorful ensemble. I own the blue "sex and the city" one shoulder frock sold at Dress and have been more than pleased with my purchase! Its flowyness and color are perfect for any outing! For an extra "pop", pair with a long necklace. Not every girl loves a dress.

The trouser jean or wide legged pant is currently a celebrity favorite. Pair with a sexy tighter fitting top, or the Rachel Zoe inspired shirt and fur vest! No flats allowed with this pant. The shape of the pant requires heels. (Especially those of us under 5' 5")

For this year's Holiday festivities, leave that LBD in your closet and show off your fashion sense! Dress has all of your favorites and the jewelry and accessories to match! Come see us today and play a little dress up!

pam@dressraleigh.com
www.dressraleigh.com
919.669.6505
peaceandlove

Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Glam

Your party season style rotation wouldn't be complete without a few words from Mr. Michael Kors, would it? Below is his advice on Holiday Essentials!

Embrace the little red and as an LBD alternative. DO experiment with different shades of red like orangey hues. There's one that works for every skin tone. DON'T pair a red dress with red shoes, a red bag, or other red accessorites. All that together? It simiply says "Santa's helper!"

Try burnished metallics. DO try off shades like deeper gunmetal gray or subtle bronze. The shiniest golds and silvers are only for the seriously brave. DON'T be afraid to mix in neutral accessories and non-metallic pieces too. That's chic!

Wear sequins the new casual way. DO try pieces like long sleeve tees, tanks, and shorts, which feel glamorous and relaxed. DON'T forget to balance the look with matte fabrics so you don't blind people.

Bust out those super short hemlines. DO counterbalance the bare legs with a covered on to look. DON'T bare everywhere...you get the point.

Slip into ankle booties as a new take on evening shoes. DO choose a stiletto-heeled style. It gives a tougher edge to romantic holiday dresses and is a nice departure from your usual pumps or party sandals. DON'T layer on colored tights with these. One statement accessory is enough.

Ok ladies....now go get your party on!

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pam@dressraleigh.com
919.669.6505

Tis the Season to be Sparkly

One of the best things about the holiday season is that it’s also the holiday party season. But each cocktail party comes with a dilemma: what to wear? The answer is simple, my friends! If you’re going to a cocktail party, then the simple answer is a cocktail dress! I’m partial to the classic Little Black Dress (LBD).

They're simple, easy and indisputably chic, and they'll take you through the holiday season and beyond.

Wear the LBD with a blazer and a pair of sleek booties and head to the office in style.

After-work cocktails? No problem. Park that blazer and layer on a few oversized baubles.

It's no wonder that eight decades after fashion icon Coco Chanel turned the once-funereal garment into a fashion statement, the LBD endures.

In fact, fashion-savvy Cristell Basmaji, spokeswoman for Jacob, says this fall she spotted the LBD more than ever on runways.

"It's just one of those really easy pieces that you can find in any style," she says. "There's a little black dress for everybody."

The fact that it is so versatile makes good financial sense too, Basmaji says, "given the economic situation, and that people are really looking for those investment pieces."

"Make sure the dress is not too busy," Basmaji says, of the criteria for finding the right LBD. "It has to be of a solid fabric. It's got to be a relatively simple cut."

Don't get swept away by a flashy print or detail, she says.

"Keeping it simple and classic keeps it to what it was when it was first created in the 1920s," Basmaji says, adding there are plenty of inexpensive options to choose from.

"You don't have to necessarily break the bank to buy the little black dress."

www.dressraleigh.com

pam@dressraleigh.com

919.669.6505