Shorts Gone Formal

If you don't think that you can dress up a pair of shorts, think again. Celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow and Amada Seyfried have been reinventing "Red Carpet Formal". The stars have been spotted showing off their gams with chic short shorts and have coupled them with high fashion blazers. So, I have picked through some pairs that can go from Retail-to-Red Carpet just like the stars! 

The Sateen Wide Waistband style from Express shouts sophistication with its slit pockets, wide waistband, cuffed hem, and trouser vibe. Easily pair these shorts with a sleek or embellished blazer. Choose from three colors, Muslin, Pitch Black and True White for the look you are trying to achieve. 

J.Crew's Smart Trouser Short is mid-length and tailored for a manicured look. Although it's paired with a casual cardigan-style blazer, it can also be dressed up with a more structured, yet lightweight style. 

Bermuda shorts are more versatile this season and aren't just for casual lounging around or running errands. Gap's Bermuda Short is the essential 'cropped trouser pant'. Throw on a blazer and heels to make this look more formal. 

I love taking a trend and adding my own twist to it! Rather than a three-piece look :: shorts, blouse, blazer :: go for a two-piece look with a romper! Mix in a contrasting belt and throw on a blazer to break up the look. This Diane von Furstenberg romper is slouchy and silky and would be oh-so-much-more-stylish (and formal!) with a satin trimmed blazer. 

Go-Go Gingham

If Parisian, Brigitte Bardot, can wear a gingham wedding dress to marry her love, then we can make the translation that this look is flexible and easy to pull off! Gingham is making its "what's old is new again" cycle with a rainbow of versatile looks.

Just because it's in your babies nursery or on your relatives cottage kitchen curtains, doesn't mean you can't fashion a skirt, a dress, shoes or even a swimsuit. Gingham is humble, classic and most of all, it stands on its own for the best in simplicity!  

Go casual with drawstring shorts or a western-style gingham shirt from Gap.

  

Go flirty in gingham with this Betsy Johnson dress where she pairs florals to make the print more playful.

The Anthropologie Checks and Balances blazer is exactly that. A combination of different sized gingham checks are well balanced with this statement piece. Make sure that it's companions are simple: solid bottoms, simple jewelry, sleek flats or stiletto's.

This flowy skirt from TopShop reminds me of throwback summer style at its finest. A solid tee or tank, flats and gilda hoops will add the perfect touch.

Satchels and shoes are a great way to throw in the print for a touch of its style. The Nine West Satchel and the Cynthia Rowley for Roxy wedges should be worn a-la-carte. In this case, less is more so be sure not to overdo the look (it'll make you look...cheap!)

Of course, I couldn't forget swimwear! Especially with a suit this cute! Patty Cakes by Betsy Johnson has adorable keyhole cutouts at the halter neckline which add great detail to this retro beach look!

Men's Fashion Friday: Denim Depot

An overcomplicated pot of looks saturated the men's denim market in 2008, making it hard to identify a true trend in jeans-wear. A hybrid ideas created an array of fabrics, patterns and embellishments resulting in a busy look for men's denim.  For Fall 2009,  heavy embellishments take a backseat to a large selection of washes and finishes. The market will be weighted with looks from rugged cowboy to 80's punk with emphasis on the destroyed and distressed finish. Appliques still make an impression but in finer detail.

Gap's Authentic Fit Jeans take a destructive beating this season. At $64.50 you fashion the destroyed look without breaking the bank.

For those of you who are timid in going "destroyed", Archaic's Anheuser Jean takes a more subtle approach to the look with sporadic abraded areas.  They also layer the look with a sanded finish and add a smaller applique on the back pockets.

For those who want to step aside from "Rock Band" and test your inner "Rocker" look, you can shop the skinny side of jeans. Levi's 'Matchstick' jean has a tapered leg opening and a gray-wash (aka their Dolphin Rinse Wash) for a more modern, yet softer, 80's rock-band look.

One of my favorite styles for Men's day-to-night jeans are Mavi's 'Leo' Relaxed Jeans. With a smokey-vintage look, you can pair this with a V-Neck shirt by day and, by night, layer that GQ-style Military coat for a sophisticated, yet relaxed, look.

Keep in mind, if you don't like what you see on the market or you want to be the owner of your own custom denim design, you can visit indiDenim at www.indiDenim.com! 

DON'T MISS OUT on their October Design & Win GIVEAWAY! Use indiDenim's online jean builder to design your perfect pair of jeans, share your design with their Design Vault and you'll be entered to win a pair of your own custom jeans.  Seriously, what can be better than a free pair of your own one-of-a-kind designs?

(no purchase necessary)