All about SAG - Fashion wrapup

Good Monday Morning Readers!
   Let's get this Monday started with a healthy dose of fashion.  I know that will help me get through another Monday!  The SAG awards aired last night and although it doesn't have the glamour or the excitement of the Oscars, there were still some great fashion moments on the red carpet.  Some of my favorites were those who chose to do the all over white trend (which is huge for spring).

Don't you like this Azzaro better than her Globes dress? Beautiful, I think!



Amy Adams, in Hervé L. Leroux. (LOVE the pony!)


Although I love black worn in every day life, it usally bores me a bit on the red carpet.  However, there were a couple black dresses on the red carpet last night that were anything but boring.  One of which had January Jones in a strong running for best dressed, once again! Whatever will we do without her at the Oscars???

January Jones in Carolina Herrera

Julie Bowen - Love that this Malandrino is actually a pantsuit!

Nicole Kidman in Nina Ricci - stunning!



And, oh, the color!  There were some really beautiful brights on the red carpet and I loved all of them!  Here were some of the brilliant highlights.

Sofia Vergara in Roberto Cavalli - still bringing it every time she hits the carpet!

Jennifer Lawrence in Oscar de la Renta - could have done without the black sash but LOVE shocking pink!

Hailee Steinfeld in Prada - Perfect, perfect, perfect! Love the dress, hair, everything.  Beautiful, but age appropriate. 

Although it is an honor to be nominated....only one star can win.  Best dressed of the evening, that is.  And my winner was Mila Kunis.  She looked absolutely fresh and lovely in her Alexander McQueen gown.  (and you all know how much I j'adore McQueen.)  The gown was flowy and effortless and her hair was carefree perfection.  I think it was a perfect look for the SAGs!

Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday!
XO, RC

Dress Code Obsession - Valentino Couture

Happy Saturday Lovely Readers!

   It's such a delightfully sunny day here in Big D, and this beautiful weather has put me in the mood for some beautiful clothing.  That's why I thought today would be the perfect day to highlight one of my favorite couture shows from last week.  The Valentino show was full of light, frothy confections that filled me with joy!  The layers of lace and tulle, in the wrong hands, certainly could have gone too princess-y.  But, designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli created elegantly slim proportions and used feather-weight fabrics to perfection. Could we see some of these enchanting gowns at the Oscars?  I certainly would not be surprised!  Cheers to glamour, beauty and the perfect gown!

XO, RC

                                                   

Resort Chic traveling

I have a dear friend who has a major problem.  She lives in a snowy, wintry climate and is taking a fabulous trip to the Caribbean.  (OK, obviously THAT'S not the problem).  The problem, which most of us have faced at one time or another, is that she will be taking off in frigid conditions and landing in a balmy paradise. When I head to the beach there is nothing I look forward to more than wearing a resort chic ensemble through the airport (no doubt, making all of the other travelers jealous!)  The last thing I want to don is a sweater, boots and a parka.  So, here is my solution.  White jeans, a navy and white nautical striped sweater and a trench coat.  For footwear, you need something that covers your foot (so you don't get frostbite on your way to the airport) but something you can still wear out on the beach town.  Look for a great wedge bootie with an open toe or sling back.  This pair of Proenza Schouler booties would be perfection! Absolutely gorgeous with a floaty sundress.  In fact, the great thing about all of these pieces is that they can all be worn during your fabulous vacay.  After all, the trick to effective packing is making pieces work for you in different ways.  The stripe sweater would be a perfect swimsuit cover up.  Pair the white jeans with a bright floral top for beach side dinner. Just throw on a great set of bangles and a gold necklace and you're all set!  Bring on the hot waiters with Margaritas!

XO, RC

Resort Chic traveling by dresscodediaries featuring studded bracelets

Phoning it in

I don't like to admit it....but there are some days that I just can't get it together.  I call those "phone in days."  The days that I don't feel like putting on something that takes a ton of effort or is super complicated.  I don't want to wear a high heel (I know, gasp!)  and I just want to be comfortable but still work appropriate.  This, dear readers, is one of those days.  You might have guessed by how late this post is occurring.  I promise to be a better, earlier, less "phone it in" person.  But, some days....it just isn't going to happen.

However, I can make a moral out of this "phone it in" day.  I have a go-to "phone it in" look that is super easy, yet still super chic.  And now, I'm sharing with you!  (If any of you see me today, you will realize that this is the exact outfit I'm wearing...now you know my secret).  It is a riding/Audrey Hepburn inspired ensemble that works every time.  Pair a crisp white button down (you should always have one ready to go in your closet for just such a day) with slim riding pants and metallic flats.  Here's the trick - slick your hair back in a ponytail or a sleek chignon and wear some fabulous dangly earrings. The only other thing you need is a touch of red lipstick and you're ready to go!  I promise, this look will take a max of 15 minutes, but you will look like a million bucks!

XO, RC

Phoning it in by dresscodediaries featuring crystal jewelry

Bring on the Spring - Rainbow Bright!

 One of the things I love most about spring fashion is the color!  I know that sounds crazy coming from me, a girl who generally seems to find herself in head-to-toe black.  But, it's true!  Nothing says spring like a light, bright wardrobe.  Generally this is done through bold prints a la Missoni or Pucci.  But, this season it's all about the mixing of vivid solids. A Turquoise blouse with a bright green skirt or hot pink pants with a saffron blazer.  While this could easily veer into clown territory, keeping the accessories minimal and adding something neutral (a nude blouse or shoes) will keep you chic.   Also, to keep your look luxe, be certain that you mix and match quality materials in classic cuts. Here are a few of my favorites from the runway:

Aquilano + Rimondi - Spring 2011

Burberry - Spring 2011

Loewe - Spring 2011

Gucci - Spring 2011

Nina Ricci - Spring 2011

Maxmara - Spring 2011

And here is my take on the trend. A gauzy royal puple blouse with a dupioni hot pink skirt....it's enough fabulous color to make me retire my black staples!  Bring on the Spring!

Rainbow Brights by dresscodediaries featuring wrap watches

Working girl chic - wearing the pants

The dreaded pantsuit.....what does that bring to your mind?  Perhaps images of 80's women in pleated royal blue pants and double breasted blazers ?  Or maybe it's a woman in a boxy black pantsuit attempting to fit in with her male counterparts?  If so, you NEED this post.  My career background has fluctuated from attorney to luxury fashion retailer and I have certainly learned some lessons along the way.  One of which is, a woman's greatest asset is her feminity....so, let's all agree not to hide it in a boxy pantsuit!  Instead, select a perfectly tailored suit that makes you feel beautiful and powerful. 

The great news for us working gals is this spring season, unlike years past, designers really embraced the pant.  Perhaps the biggest trend on the runway was the wide leg pant.  This style is universally flattering and would be perfect paired with a fitted blazer and a beautifully femine blouse.






Beautiful with a fitted cream blazer



Classic white wide-leg suit, perfect for spring!

For a little more inspiration, here are some great pics of Olivia Palermo.  She always seems to know how to wear pants with feminity and style.  Be sure to follow her accessory cues and add beautifully feminine blouses and statement jewelry to complete your look

I hope you enjoy our "working girl" posts. Be sure to check back each Tuesday for chic work wear ideas. Also, I would love to hear your thoughts and what posts most interest you. That's exactly how this series was created....by request! Just think of me as your personal stylist! Have a lovely evening, meet you back here tomorrow.

XO, RC

Dress Code Obsession - Tom Ford

Happy Monday evening lovely readers!
  Another Manic Monday is winding down and I hope you all had a better one than I did....suffice it to say a beautiful cream suede dress was ruined today by a vicious lipstick attack! (OK, it was mostly my fault for being a bit clumsy with a tube of red Chanel lipstick, but it's a disaster nonetheless.) Thank goodness I always have my cashmere wrap handy. Today's outfit quickly turned into a pseudo-sari to hide the mess. So, whether your Monday was rough like mine or blissful (in which case, I'm jealous.....who has a blissful Monday?) here is a little something we can all sit back and enjoy this evening.

Tom Ford has been a longtime obsession of mine, so it should come as no surprise that I am seriously celebrating his return to womenswear! Mr. Ford, as he now prefers to be called, hosted an intimate and elegant fashion presentation to show his long awaited spring 2011 collection. Though the audience was full of the cream of the fashion crop, the true stars were actually on the runway. Mr Ford's model selections varied from Lauren Hutton to Beyonce. His reasoning for selecting these megawatt stars rather than traditional models? He says they are, "the most inspirational women in the world." I don't know about you, but watching this glamorous presentation I certainly feel inspired! So, here is to inspiration.....and a good dry cleaner!

Dream Land

Being that it is Sunday evening and tomorrow ends my luxurious vacation days, I have a touch of the "back to school" blues. In an attempt to soothe these blues I settled in for a relaxing evening with my fashion magazines. As I flipped through I came across the Gucci spring 2011 ads and it sent me into a fantasy land. This season's Gucci ads (featuring the beautiful Karmen Pedaru, Joan Smalls and Hailey Clausen and photographed by Mert & Marcus) create a world of glamour in the sun. The models are radiant, tanned and lithe wearing the most brilliant jewel-toned shades. Seriously, am I the only person who wants to LIVE in these ads??  I really do appreciate the artsy, gritty ads preferred by many designers. However, sometimes it's nice to see beautiful people, wearing beautiful clothes in a beautiful location.  So, please take this Sunday evening to relax, and enjoy the eye candy! 

XO, RC

For the Boys

In celebration of the fact that it is Men's fashion week (and that I am spending the weekend with my family and a menswear post was specially requested by my stylish father).  Here are a few of my thoughts on menswear.  It's true that I generally prefer a very conservative and tailored approach to menswear.  The boys are certainly not given as much leeway with fashion as the ladies.  However, one style note that I think even the most conservative man can easily pick up on is the mixing of camels, greys and browns.  Long gone is the rule that one must only wear black shoes with grey suits or slacks. A palette of grey and brown looks much more luxe and chic.  Take it a step further and add a beautiful camel cashmere scarf for an extra touch of style.  See some examples from the Ermenegildo Zegna fashion show:

Maybe it's Mad Men or maybe it's Carey Grant, but another look that I just cannot get enough of during the winter is a classic overcoat over a tailored suit.  Swoon!!

XO, RC

Winter Weekend Getaway

Happy Fashionable Friday!  It's been freezing cold here in the city, so it seemed like the perfect time to have a relaxing getaway at my family's lakehouse. While our country weekend should be somewhat relaxing, we are sure to have guests over for cocktails and appy's.  So, (you know me!) I'm taking this as yet another occasion to create the perfect ensemble. 

I love this Missoni sweater coat (cozy and colorful).  It's ideal over skinny chocolate brown cords with fabulously furry duck boots.  Add in some nature-inspired earings, the perfect weekender bag and a couple (OK, MANY) bottles of wine. Cheers to the weekend, friends!

XO, RC


Winter Weekend Getaway by dresscodediaries featuring butterfly hoop earrings

Chic CSPAN

OK, I realize that sounds like an oxymoron.  I also know that you are probably getting tired of videos.  But, fashion friends, give me a little break. I am (obviously) extremely proud of the fact that I just figured out how to post videos.  Not to mention....I finally found something I am excited about on CSPAN! I just had to share with all of you. 

She is wearing Chanel (shocker), and wants to speak to the Chinese Premier about investing money into Chinese fashion.  Oh, the glamour of it all!

XO, RC