He's Got The Look (The Look of the Day)

Greetings Gentle Readers,

This morning we Tweeted (are you following us on Twitter? You should be!!! You can find us, here, very simply) and Facebooked in the #MorningTip: "Dreary day? Wear a little bold color to stand out from the masses in grey!" and since it was raining off and on all day in the city... We figured, "What a better day than to take our own advice!?!" So we did, and here you see the result!!

Now the keys to pulling this off are as follows, (and ladies, worry not, a look like this isn't strictly limited to the fellas): The color is your primary focus. so once you decide what bold hue you're going to step out in, start thinking of complementary colors. You want your 2nd choice to be much more subtle as to keep the focus on your primary piece. We choose a pair tan-ish/brown-ish/khaki-ish slim cut houndstooth trousers (the houndstooth makes it difficult to tell what exactly the original color of the pants is!)

Gents: Stick to pieces on top being bold colors... Very, very, very few of us can pull off purple pants. A purple polo, v-neck, button down or cardigan, however, is an entirely different story (a notable exception here is shorts, but that's for a different time). If you're going to layer, such as we did here. Stick to as similar a color as possible. As always, it doesn't have to match, but it does have to go. The closer you come to monochromatic, the better.

Ladies: You, as usual, have a little more leeway, you can do a bright color on bottom, in the form of a skirt, shorts, or trousers. But, wherever you decide to pop your color... get it, like pop your collar... Lol, we tried... make sure your other pieces are in complementary more subtle colors. For example, if you wear a red skirt, then try a tan top, or if you're rocking a lime green top, then perhaps those eggplant trousers you've been dying to wear can make their debut.

Accessorizing: Fellas, your accessories should either play off the complementary color, as we've done here, OR be an entirely different complementary color themselves. Ladies: The same applies to you with the exception that you can throw in a little contrasting (but still complementary!!!) bold color in the form of one or two of your more subtle accessories, a chunky bracelet or necklace (if the necklace is going to contrast with your primary bold color choice, we wouldn't suggest wearing a bold colored top, save the bold necklaces for the bold colored bottom pieces)

The rule to bold color on dreary and bright sunny days is as follows: Keep it complementary and you'll be good to go. That about wraps it up for this installment of "The Look of the Day." Until next time...

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, style is eternal." -Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Remember, you can always find our up to the minute tips on staying classically chic, timelessly elegant, and always Sartorially Savvy at http://twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy (follow us to always be in the know!)

Sheer?? Sure!!

Greetings Gentle Readers,

It's time for our next "How To..." installment. Today we're talking about sheer.... Sexy right? Yes, if don't correctly. Which, is precisely the purpose of this "How To..." Pictured, we have two looks that we pulled for gorgeous friends of ours for 2 very different occasions.

The idea behind sheer is always the same; to give the allusion of nudity, to show skin while still being covered. The trick to this is a proper foundation, in this case, what you put UNDER the sheer item.

For the tunic here that's worn as a dress, Quels has on a purple tank and olive military inspired shorts. so, while her tunic is sheer, she never runs the risk of being over exposed... Sexy, classy and elegant.

For the tank dress, the key is the slip. While the dress itself is completely sheer, the nude slip gives the coverage needed to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions. The integrity of the dress is kept, as is the integrity of the young lady wearing it.

When accessorizing with sheer materials, keep it fairly subtle. The focus should be on your garment. if it's a sheer top, stay away from necklaces, they'll provide too much clutter, using earrings and bracelets instead to make your accessory statements. The whole idea of sheer is bare and nude. You don't want to create a conflicting aesthetic by piling on the accessories. Keep it simple for a clean, classic, and alluring look.

Whether it be a sheer blouse, top, or dress, as long as you have the proper foundation underneath, pulling off this sexy staple, is quite simple. Sheer garments are something to add to your wardrobe that provide instant sex appeal and classic sophistication. Use them wisely ladies... Until next time...

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Remember to follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy for your up to the minute tips on staying classically elegant, timelessly chic, and always, Sartorially Savvy.

Funky Fresh Dressed to Impress Ready to Party

Greetings Gentle Readers,

We know it's been a minute and you may have missed us, and for that, we sincerely apologize. We had a slight case of computer AIDS and are just now getting back on our feet. But that's neither here nor there... But remember, you can always keep up with your daily Sartorially Savvy tips at http://twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy Even if you don't Tweet, you can still see our style-tip and fashion news-filled page! Alright, now, to the matter at hand.... Often times at various functions we'll see people who are severely underdressed for the occasion, obviously a case of misunderstanding the attire. So we decided to decode what those attire buzzwords on invitations really mean so that you, our dear gentle readers, are always in the know... Let's take it from the top!

White Tie: The most formal of formal, traditionally meaning for gentlemen, either a black or white tuxedo jacket with tails, a white cummerbund and white bow tie. For ladies, a ball gown or floor length evening gown. The President here has demonstrated a more updated White Tie by donning a black jacket w/o tails but still with the white bow tie and cummerbund, nonetheless, he and the First Lady are Classic and Glamorous.

Black Tie: (included here are Formal, Black Tie Optional, and Creative Black Tie) Black Tie for gents means a black tuxedo and black bow tie. Black Tie Optional is used to set the tone of what's expected of guests. And Creative Black Tie is what we've demonstrated in our picture here on the left... While yes, that's a traditional tuxedo, the twist is the black dress shirt underneath, and no tie at all. For ladies, all of the Black Tie options generally mean, an evening gown or evening separates, with variations depending on the occasion. Obviously you'd have more leeway w/Creative Black Tie than you would w/Formal.

Semi-Formal: For the fellas, this means a dark suit and tie, ladies, a long dress, evening separates, or a dressier cocktail dress.

Cocktail: For him, a dark suit, or jacket and slacks or dark jeans, not necessarily a tie, perhaps even a lightweight V-neck sweater underneath the jacket. For her, a flirty cocktail dress (here's where you can break out the shorter and sexier options ladies)

Dressy Casual: Often the most confusing of all the categories, it's very similar to cocktail attire for the gentleman, but for dressy casual options, a full suit would probably have you too over dressed. A blazer, button down or lightweight sweater, slacks or dark jeans and loafers is a pretty fail safe option for the fellas here, switch it up, with vests, and ties instead of the same ole' blazer/button down/jeans combo for a more stylish look. For the ladies... it's a bit more tricky. That's because you can wear pretty much anything. For dressy casual a dressier top, dark jeans, and heels are pretty much the standard, but you can play it up with a dress and leggings, pencil skirt and blouse, cardigans and A-line skirts, you get the point, limitless options. As a general rule, dressy casual for the ladies requires heels, and if you're going to wear jeans they should be darker.

Casual: For both sexes, pretty much anything goes here, and it really depends on the occasion. You'd lean more towards a dressy casual option for a dinner party than for a BBQ even though both invitations might say, "casual." For outdoor occasions, tees and jeans are fine for the fellas, and the same is true for ladies, and of course you should always be weather appropriate. However, gents, if it's an indoor casual occasion, try throwing a cardigan or vest over your tee, and if you're going to wear sneakers, they should be simple, classic, and clean. Ladies, once again, you have the benefit of being able to wear pretty much anything at a casual function; be it a tee, jeans, and heels, or flats, a skirt and a tank top. It really depends on the occasion.

Well gentle readers, that about covers it for this installment. We apologize for the lapse since our last post. We won't let it happen again!!! Oh, and just a tiny tip from our personal arsenal: It is ALWAYS better to be a bit over dressed than under dressed. When you are slightly over dressed, you stand out in a good way, looking more polished and put together, and leaving spectators wondering what fabulous soiree you've either just come from, or are going to... When you are under dressed, those same bystanders are wondering why you didn't understand what the invite said... and questioning your comprehension.... Not Sartorially Savvy at all. Until next time...

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashion fades, style is Eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. For your up to the moment tips on staying classically stylish, timelessly chic and always Sartorially Savvy, follow us on Twitter (@SartoriallySvvy or just click here)

The Long and Short of it

Greetings Gentle Readers,

As the dogs days of summer endure, we've decided to tackle an issue we've noticed several of our gentleman friends seem to be having with their warmer weather wardrobes: Short length. Ladies, b/c of the variety of choices in length of your shorts, you avoid this problem... Whether Bermudas, walking shorts, or short shorts, you all can pretty much wear anything, b/c let's face it... Everyone wants to see a bit of leg... The fellas, well, we have a bit more of a struggle.

So, we'll cut right to the chase (pun intended) the most universally flattering style of short for a gentleman is a flat front walking short. Just like your flat front khakis and trousers, the flat front walking short should be pleat-less, and fall straight down the length of your leg. These are the shorts that we're recommending for daily use, your everyday, pound the pavement, out and about, and even, night out shorts. They should end right about at the knee, maybe a little above.

The taller you are, the longer than can be. Those around or above 6'0" can rock a mid knee or knee length short (knee length here meaning it just about covers the knee) those 5'9"-5-11" should stick to at the knee or just above. And those 5'8" and under should stick to above the knee styles, lest you be over whelmed by shorts.

Longer than knee length should be saved for your gym shorts, unless you're going for that whole capri-pants thing, and then, that's an entirely different subject manner. Gents, it's summer, they're shorts, it's hot, and you look uncomfortable roaming the streets in the 90+ degree weather in the same jeans you rocked when there was a foot of snow on the ground... If not for the mere cooling effect, then think of the attraction appeal; You know how you like seeing a bit of skin on those you're attracted to... The effect works vice versa...

And if you can't find shorts that fit you in your desired length, then make them yourself, luckily, cut offs are really en vogue for dudes right now, and we'll tell you how to get the look on the recession special!!! (None of that, "take 'em to the tailor" here!!! ... Well, not right now at least) Take a pair of jeans, khakis or trousers you don't really wear anymore (the slimmer the better) put them on, get a marker, safety pin, push-pin, whatever, and mark them right in the middle of your knee. Take them off and fold them seam-wise (You know, w/the legs together) by length. Grab a pair of really sharp scissors (the goal here is a clean cut, not a jagged edge like the early 00's singing group) and cut across where you marked, and VOILA!!! There you have it, your very own shorts!!! Bam! Simple, easy, effective.

Keep these tips in mind, as the days of August have been known to be some of the summer's most vicious, and you'll be cool, calm, collected, AND stylish. Until next time...

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, style is eternal." -Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy for your daily tips on being classically stylish, effortlessly chic and ALWAYS Sartorially Savvy!

Rainy Day? Got You Covered and Chic

Greetings Gentle Readers, Today's a bit rainy where we are so we thought, what better day to do to a posting on how to be stylish in inclement weather. Usually we save information on outerwear for later on in the year, but we'll make an exception today... A trench-style raincoat is a perfect way to stay fly AND dry... If you don't have a trench in your closet we suggest you get one ASAP, budget conscious retailers such as H&M often have a nice selection of styles at reasonable price points for both men and women. The trick to finding a good trench is to buy it in your regular size. You don't have to go up a size b/c when designers cut outerwear they're fully aware that you're usually ;-) fully clothed underneath it. Gents should stick to neutrals such as navy, black and tan, as they'll go with everything in your wardrobe, and never go out of style. Ladies can play a bit more with pattern and color, a red, peach, or purple trench gives you just as many miles as the blacks, navies, and tans since all 3 are neutral as well. When looking into pattern, florals, animal print or polka dots are timeless options for you as well.
Fit wise, your trench should fit over your clothes comfortably, and you should have full range of motion, if you don't, feel free to go up a size, but you shouldn't have to. In terms of length, 3/4 or knee length (or just above) are your best options. The ones we've posted here are 3/4 length and knee length, so you see one falls to just about mid thigh and the other to just about the knee.

We hope you've found this posting useful and that on rainy days to come you stay fly AND dry!!!

Stylishly Yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy for your daily tips on staying classically stylish, effortlessly chic, and Sartorially Savvy

Back To Black

Greetings Gentle Readers,

Last night we gave the ladies a little midnight snack on how to rock aptly rock animal print... today for lunch we're holdin' it down for the fellas. Fellas! The ONE pair of shoes you need in your closet isn't that pair of red and black Jordan XII's or the Wheat Timbs, it's a pair of classic black leather loafers. No shoe is more versatile, can be dressed up or down, go from day to night, or office to out, like a good pair of black leather loafers. You can wear them with jeans, shorts, trousers, and khakis, and you can't go wrong with black, they go with everything. Invest in a good pair, and keep them well, and you'll have them for years to come. Leather ages EXTREMELY well, and looks better with age. Keep them polished and moisturized with leather balm (or our personal trick, a little cocoa butter), and in the winter, protect them from salt with de-salters that remove salt stains and prevent harmful decay. Also, keep a pair of cedar shoe trees in them to help keep shape and extend wear. We've featured our favorite Ferrgamo's that we've had for YEARS and have served us very well. And even if you're not on a Ferragamo budget, you can definitely invest in a good pair that will hold you down for days to come. So head back to black gents and you won't go wrong.

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, style is eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy for your daily tips on staying Sartorially Savvy!!!

How to Rock Animal Print

Greetings Gentle Readers,

Coming to you with a little late night treat... Sorry fellas, this one's strictly for the ladies... but you can enjoy the eye candy!!! Featured tonight, you see a looked we pulled for a darling friend of ours for New Years a few years ago... A lot of people have trouble rocking animal print, it's quite simple actually... Keep it just that. Simple. Your animal print is the focal point of the look. Be it, a dress, top, blouse, shoe, or skirt (Animal print pants are really hard to pull off... we don't recommend them for the novice or even intermediate levels) If you're rocking separates, only one should be animal print, and the other a neutral color, preferably one that's complementary to the animal print! Keep your accessories simple as we did here. Playing with bit of color (keep it solid! you've already got pattern in the animal print) in the belt, shoe, jewelry (the earrings, and ring were red and gold and the bangles were all gold tones) and bag (not pictured). Follow these simple steps and you'll be queen of the jungle!!!

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, but style is eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Follow us on Twitter for your daily tip on staying Sartorially Savvy (twitter.com/SartoriallySvvy)

It's Been a While... I Shouldn't Have Left You... w/o a Dope Blog to Dress to...

Greetings Gentle Readers,

Wow... Haven't said that in quite a while... Well, I'm back!!! After a bit of a sabbatical (sometimes life gets in the way of our best intentions) I've returned to bring you my unique brand of fashion and style input and advice. For those of you who are familiar with my previous endeavors over @ Keeping Up With the Huxtables (check it out over at www.imkeepingup.com, AMAZING blog), you already know what's up... and I want to start out by thanking you for your support and telling you how much you all are truly appreciated. Hopefully I can continue to bring you great articles/advice that puts you well on your way to being perpetually Sartorially Savvy!! For those of you who are new... sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. I promise not to steer you wrong, and keep you looking your best. So, let's get right to it shall we?

Most of us are currently enduring the dog days of summer, the sunny days, steamy nights, and the wardrobe choices that follow, but on the horizon is one of my favorite seasons, autumn, and for the purpose of this post, we'll be addressing how to seamlessly and stylishly transition into the next season by using what you're already wearing and what you already have in your closet right now.

Ladies 1st:
Ladies that great shift dress you have in your closet is a seasonal chameleon! You can wear it from season to season by merely switching up how you wear it, and what you pair it with. Right now, we both know and appreciate that you're all about the bare legs, and strappy sandals, but as the seasons change you can totally transform the look of that dress. For day and the office, pair it with a cardigan, pearls, and flats for a poised, polished an professional look (For a little pop of personality or color, if your dress is a solid color pair it with a patterned cardigan, florals are universally flattering, and if your dress is patterned, do the opposite and keep the color of the cardigan simple, with maybe a ruffled sleeve or button detail serving as the pop). As we get further into fall and the nights start to get a little chillier, for nights out on the town, pair your shift dress with a pair of leggings in a bright color like teal or eggplant and rock it out with a hot pair of peep toe booties and funky jewelry. Conversely, once again, if the dress it patterned, keep the leggings simple in black or grey, or even wear stockings/tights in a nude or fleshtone and do a colorful shoe. Right now, you can rock it bare legged with a statement necklace, or strands of necklaces, and a nude pump (or flat for the day) for a fun, flirty and fresh look, that with a simple change of shoes and accessories goes from day to night! A good, well fitting shift dress is a classic wardrobe staple that you can dress up, dress down, wear to work, and wear out for seasons on end. Use it wisely!!!

Gents:
Fellas, we're pretty much experts on how to wear everything (save the cashmere sweaters and wool suits) in our closet year 'round, but, in case you don't, or hadn't considered the following options... Right now, most of us are wearing our polos with shorts, jeans, khakis an slacks, but for fall, it's time to switch up the style a little bit... For those of you NOT rocking polo shirts right now, let me give a few brief reasons as to why you should be...
1. It's more sophisticated than your favorite tee shirt that you've been rocking since high school
2. a nicely fitting polo shirt can make you look you spent that time in the gym that you pretend in your mind you did.
If those 2 aren't enough, ask one of your female friends who she's more likely to give the time of day, the dude in the old school Ninja Turtles tee shirt, or the dude in the perfectly fitting polo... And then I think you'll see my side of the spectrum. For fall... I encourage you to try new colors of polo combinations, this doesn't mean you have to go out and spend a grip on 10 new shirts (if you do, you'll have more options and variety to play with so, more power to you, however, this is a recession, and ummmm....). Pair your polos with light weight sweaters (crew or v-neck) in color combinations like lime green, and eggplant purple. The polo/blazer/jeans look is classic and timeless, but instead of the same old grey blazer/navy polo/dark jeans try it with an burnt orange polo and a navy blazer. Play with color combinations and layering pieces to try new things. You'll be surprised how much more mileage you get out of your pieces.

Alright gentle readers, that's it for this post. I'll be back before you know it with our next installment!! If you have any questions/comments/concerns/suggestions for topics you'd like covered, please, by all means comment!!! I don't bite and I'll do my best to address everything you ask!!!

Until Next Time...

Stylishly yours,
Sartorially Savvy
"Fashions fade, but style is eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent

P.S. Here's a link to all of my old columns from Keeping up with the Huxtables to give you a little refresher!!! http://www.imkeepingup.com/search/label/Sartorially%20Savvy