Idiosyncratic Style

Twenty8Twelve F10

The daring combination of orange and black is synonymous with Halloween which makes it a little scary for most style civilians and normally overlooked as a possible option in everyday ensembles. There are probably untapped outfit resources sitting in your closet right now, making this a great fashion dare for those who embrace a little wardrobe risk with big returns.

Philosophy F09

The bold pairing has popped up on recent runways, so it’s a great time to dabble in its striking powers. Esoterically, orange is used to attract helpful people and ignite a career, whereas black is used to welcome wealth and knowledge, so it’s the perfect color combination for job interviews, corporate events and networking parties. It is also a wonderful sartorial choice for hosting dinner parties with intelligent conversation because the orange evokes warmth and appetite coupled with blacks ability to attract intellectual depth and intuitive insight.

Paul Smith F10 | Central Saint Martins F10

So layer some orange and black pieces together to tap into the powerful force of these two spiritually charged colors of attraction, I dare you…

Images by Facehunter.com

With holiday parties well behind you and wedding season a while away, don’t let your cocktail dresses fade into the dark corners of your closet. Re-invent them for casual use, giving your wardrobe a little boost to battle the mid-winter blues.

Images by The Sartorialist

9 ways to downplay your finest dresses
Layer on a blazer or cardigan to cover bare arms
Add a comfortable t-shirt or long sleeve tee to raise a neckline
Cover your legs with opaque knit tights or high-rise socks
Experiment with wearing it over your favorite skinny pants
Mix it up with tough pieces like denim and leather jackets
Make it practical with a classic trench or anorak coat
Anchor the look with casual flats, motorcycle boots, oxfords or sneakers
Play around with your casual accessories, especially different belts
Keep your hair and make-up natural in favor of a no-fuss look

Images by Chictopia

Images by The Sartorialist

(l) Vera Wang Spring 09 (r) Y Kei Fall 07

(l) Jin Bora and (r) Kim Kardashian

Show your favorite party frocks that there’s more to life than sipping cocktails, making pleasant chit-chat and dancing the night away, give them a glimpse of the real world and take them out in the harsh reality of daylight… I dare you!

You’d be remiss to dismiss the whiter shades of pale this winter…

Ralph Lauren F09

In fact, the bogus myth that white isn’t worn after Labor Day is still upheld by many fashion civilians, so applying clean whites and creams to your cold season repertoire would surely draw attention to your higher sense of style.

Clockwise- F09 from 3.1 Philip Lim | Rick Owens | Chloe | Tory Burch

If you are not quite comfortable draping yourself completely in white, try anchoring the look with some pure black to add a little contrast that will make it an easier look to adopt as your own.

Clockwise - F09 from Max Azria | Michael Kors | Burberry Prorsum | Erin Fetherston

It is a new decade and time to throw out antiquated ideas about there being any sort of universal fashion rules. It is also the perfect time to let go of your white-phobia, the fear of wearing a shade that will dirty so easily.

Francisco Costa @ Calvin Klein F09

Cheers to 2010, a fashion decade free of rules and fears… I dare you!

All too often we move ourselves to the bottom of the list, especially during the holidays. This year, do yourself a favor and add some glamour to your style. The quickest and easiest way to go glam is to enlist the time-tested aid of classic beauty enhancers like red lipstick and luxe lashes.

Red Lipstick has a long history filled with possibilities of elevating one’s beauty status to iconic, so applying even a little bit is bound to make you feel like an old Hollywood starlet. Choose your hue carefully with The Coveted to make sure you don’t miss the mark and end up at the circus or in the red light district.

If eyes are the windows to your soul, make sure your drapes are just as gorgeous as the view. Falsies can add the length or thickness that your mama didn’t give you, but they can also be used just to add a little sparkle. Application can be tricky, get tips with Guide to Faux Lashes or Eyelash Trial.

While you are glam-ming it up, try wearing your costume jewelry to run errands, do your hair even if you aren’t leaving the house, sip water from champagne glasses or wear luscious lingerie under your skirt suit to the office… I DARE YOU!

At first, the idea of pajamas masquerading as ready to wear fashion seems a little nuts, but if lingerie can be worn out on any girls night and cozy flannel pants are donned off-campus by co-eds everywhere, why can’t classic pajamas enjoy their time to walk in the sun?

Dolce & Gabbana

The only way to see if this Dolce & Gabbana approved trend will actually work is to go ahead and get comfortable with it. Decking yourself out in head to toe sleepwear, may work for Hugh Hefner, but most of us will need to be a little more selective in choosing intimate pieces to mix in with our existing wardrobe.

Five Ways to Experiment with Pajamas

Sleep Shirts - Style as you would a great blouse and pair with your favorite jeans.

Elizabeth & James, Sartorialist, Men's PJ Top

Delicate Robes - Secure and wear like a wrap dress or open like a cardigan.

Phoebe Carlyle, Not on the High Street, Nicole Richie

Flannel Tops - Wear like a plaid shirt and layer over tees or under jackets.

Victoria's Secret, Trend Hunter

Silk Bottoms - Add heels and structured top or Recycle into Harem Pants. 

Balmain and Adam Lippes

Bed Jackets - Delicate vintage substitute for modern fashion capelet.

That Girl Vintage, Giambattista Valli, Andrew Gn, Midnight Glamour

Play around a little, after all that’s what trends are for. You might end up with some edgy new fashion statements or possibly just a chic little ensemble for inside the house, but let those pajamas have a chance at style, I DARE YOU…

Stuck in a cement jungle where happy hour daiquiris are the closest you ever get to the tropics? Perhaps a Hawaiian shirt will help you get an island state of mind.

Okay, so this is really more like a “Fashion Double-Dare” because it takes an elite style maven to adopt the wardrobe staple of bbq-ing dads, retired snowbirds and spring breaking frat boys everywhere, not to mention make it actually look good.

While researching content, it is no surprise that photos of women wearing Hawaiian shirts were hard to find (especially wearing them stylishly), but that is what made it the perfect choice for a fashion dare. In a society where cookie-cutter style is all too common, finding a great item that women’s fashion hasn’t over-explored is a rare gem. I am well aware that Hawaiian shirts are thought of as tacky, loud and even cheesy, but not too long ago people thought that way about sequins and they managed to overcome the stereotype. Plus, a good fashion challenge now and then (succeed or fail) will help your style evolve and keep you at the front of the fashion pack.

Think of these Dos & Don’ts like a helpful Tiki torch lighting your way.

DON’T pair it with white shorts or Capri pants - it’s obvious and boring
DON’T put a tropical flower in your hair - it’s overkill on the theme and cheesy
DON’T top it off with a straw hat or baseball cap - unless retired or Magnum P.I.
DON’T mix it with any other patterns - they have enough going on already
DON’T over-accessorize - use one item to accent and no tropical shells
DON’T match your shirt to the family - unless you are the Hawaiian Von Trapps

DO wear a fitted shirt - a good fit is most important in making it work
DO roll the sleeves a little to help you get a more flattering fit
DO toss on a solid colored summer scarf - it will help minimize the loud pattern
DO keep it casual - cut-offs or jeans show you aren’t taking it too seriously
DO layer it over a tank & under a cardigan - keeping it to just a dash of splash
DO be a minimalist and keep it simple - let the loud-mouth shirt do all the talking

Will you boldly go where so few fashion people have gone before and make the Hawaiian shirt work for you? Try it, I “double-dog-dare” you!