Suz on Color

Where has all the color gone? It's springtime, people! (Or at least that is what the calendar says...) Remember the days when springtime meant breaking out of the grey, black and brown rut of winter dressing and embracing color? What says spring more than the happy hues of yellows, pinks, greens, and blues? Alas, when you enter your favorite stores, staring back at you is dull, muted, melancholy colors. Even more, the colors that are being shown right now are very difficult for us fair-skinned beauties to pull off without looking dead.

Here are some examples:

This look is from J.Crew. Does this look like "spring" to you?

What about this one?

Blah! Boring! Where's the color, J.Crew??

Maybe it's just J.Crew you ask? Think again...

This is a "Look We Love" from Ann Taylor Loft. I don't love it. I think it's boring... It's all brown. Where's the look of spring tulips and daffodils? Where is the outfit that makes you want to run through a spring meadow in all your feminine freshness?

This look from Banana Republic is an "Outfit We Love." I think it's fine. I doesn't really say, "Happy Spring," or "Goodbye Winter" to me....but maybe since I live in Chicago I need color and spring more than the average woman. To be fair...there is some color out there. But, it is not as prevelant as I would like. Case in point, J.Crew recently unveiled their Fall 2011 collection. It is jam packed with color. Color, color and more color. The hues are a undoubtedly geared toward fall/winter and not spring/summer, but it's colorwonderful all the same. Where's the color this spring? Obviously, the muted tones are a big trend along with the 'all-white' trend, but I am a sucker for color. Shopping this spring is about as depressing as the Chicago weather -- all grey, brown and melancholy. So come on, let's put a little color back into our lives!

'Til Next Time, Stay Stylish!

Suz on Reese's Style for Less

I love Reese Witherspoon's casual chic style. She always looks comfortable, cute and classic. Here are some of my favorite recent Reese looks and how you can wear them for less.









This first look is great for summer. It also is showcasing the shorts trend. If you have great legs, show them off! These shorts from J.Crew are on sale for $29.99. Pair it with a plain navy long sleeved tee with a white tank-top underneath and, Viola!, you are wearing Reese's outfit.This long sleeved tank is also from J.Crew and retails for $24.50 or 2 for $35.













This next look (left) is also fairly easy to replicate. I love the nod to Reese's southern upbringing with her fun cowboy boots. All you need here is a fun, cotton skirt, a tank or tee shirt, a long cardigan and some cowboy boots. The skirt (below) is from J.Crew and is on sale for $39.99. The boots are from a great brand, Frye. They make high-quality leather boots that will last a lifetime. These are the "Billy Vintage" and retail for $268. You can find them on piperlime.com. The long cardigan is from Ann Taylor loft and comes in seven fun colors for $49.50. Loftonline.com.
























This third look I really love. It's the perfect hot, stylish, casual summer day look. I think I did a great job finding an almost identical skirt. This skirt is from a website called, GoJane.com, and retails for $19.60! Steal. The tank top is from J.Crew and is $18 or two for $30. The sandals are from Michael Antonio and are available on Piperlime.com for $29.99. The panama hat is from J.Crew (again) and retails for $58.

















The fourth and final look is a great way casual way to wear stripes. I have a couple options both from J.Crew for the top. The first is $118 and is a classic from a company called, Saint James (sold on jcrew.com). The second shirt is also from J.Crew and retails for $42.50. Finally, pair it with a great pair of skinny jeans (I recommend the 'always skinny' from Gap for $69.50) and a cute pair of pointy-toed black flats (these are from Nine West and retail for $69) and you're rockin' Reese's look!





'Til next time,

Stay Stylish!

Suz on Shopping

I am obsessed with the adorable high-waisted short skirts popping-up everywhere for Fall. Currently, my favorite look is this one from Club Monaco. As CM is across the street from my house, I thought I would take a pic of the look displayed in their window on my way to work this morning.

I love the juxtaposition of the black and gold sparkly skirt with the striped nautical t-shirt and the anorak jacket.
The skirt retails for $198 (I think) and the t-shirt is $39.


I love this look, however, I realize it may be something that only you brave fashionistas out there will try and pull off.

Here is how Suz On Style would style this outfit for us regular people:

I would purchase the t-shirt. It's only $39 and you can wear it with jeans, skirts, suits -- just about anything. And the striped nautical look is so hot right now.

For the skirt, I would recommend purchasing this similar style in black from Ann Taylor Loft to save on price. Plus, the fact that this skirt is not sequined means it will be more versatile for day and night. Don't worry, it comes in black -- I promise. Plus, it's on sale right now for $29.99.

I would wear a boyfriend long cardigan over the t-shirt. Again, Loft has a great example out this season in a bevy of colors. This sweater is $49.50. You can also pair this skirt with just about any top. Just be careful not to show too much boob. This skirt is very short and will show a lot of leg. If you then also show a lot of boob, you will end up looking a little bit too Pammy Anderson.

Depending on wear you are taking this outfit, you could wear tights and booties, flats, gladiator sandals, boots, over-the-knee-boots or brogues.

It's your perfect fall look. You're welcome.


'Til Next Time,
Stay Stylish!

Suz On Shopping

Lately, I have been feeling the shopping itch. I have been trying to curb the itch for new fall clothes by buying things for my apartment. I think if one more box arrives at the apartment my boyfriend is going to take one of them and start living in it on the corner. So, in lieu of actually purchasing anything for fall yet since it is still way too hot here in Chicago, I will blog about my fall obsessions 2010. But Suz, you might ask, you already did a post about the hot trends for fall. Yes, that is correct. This blog, however, is about the things I am actually contemplating purchasing.

1. Brogues.

My very stylish friend, Melissa and I started talking about these cute shoes a month of so ago and now I can’t get them out of my head. I think they are a great summer-into-fall piece. You can wear them now with cute shorts or a skirt and then in the fall with jeans or tights. My favs are the Camden Leather Brogues from JCrew.


2. Plaid Schoolboy Shirts.

Again, I love the herringbone plaid shirt from JCrew. The print is classic and the updated cut is made to look less boxy then the ones we wore in '94.

3. Over the knee boots.

My favorite is from Joie. But they are very expensive at $545. There are cute, less expensive options at Nine West and Ann Taylor Loft. This pair is from Loft. These will look great with a cute skirt or a fun sweater dress.

4. Cropped Leather Jacket in fall hues. Belfast for JCrew (I know, I am a JCrew-aholic) would be my dream jacket. However, it is over $1,200.00.

This cheaper option at Urban Outfitters is 'only' $250. Plus, the fact that it is a "Members Only" ups the hipster quotient.

5. Updated anorak jacket.

You can find these almost anywhere. Ann Taylor loft has an army green one on sale right now for $39.99. JCrew has many ranging in price from $98-$148. Urban Outfitters also has a few options for around $78.

This one is from JCrew and is the Solid Ripstop Field Jacket. Pair it with a sparkly top or skirt for an updated look.

Til next time,

Stay Stylish!