HO-HO-NO!

First of all, let's talk about what NOT to look for in holiday attire.  Do not, do not, do NOT wear any sort of attire that features reindeer, wreaths, holly berries, etc...and resist the temptation to wear red and green together, period.  You will just end up looking costume-y, cliche and frankly, tacky. Look for rich jewel tones, like plum, deep jade and peacock blue.  Also resist “seasonal accessories” which include, but are not limited to, ceramic reindeer pins, bell earrings and Christmas tree broaches.  Accessories are an important part of holiday dressing, but instead buy timeless, beautiful, interesting jewelry that will last you throughout the year with lots of outfits, not December.  Even then, don't get carried away.

Choose focal pieces, instead of over- accessorizing. Choose

bold over quantity. Anything too delicate will simply get lost on you. Try chandelier earrings, chunky cuffs, multi-layer 

necklaces and sparkly cocktail rings (J.Crew has some beautiful ones!) — but not all at the same time. A good rule of thumb is not to put items too close together on the body. Instead of big earrings AND a big necklace, try big earrings and a cocktail ring.

MUST HAVES FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES

1) A sassy, short cocktail dress either in a metallic, dressy material, such as thick satin, and/or with a little sparkle or embellishment.  See below for examples:

Maggy London Beaded Waist Strapless Matte Jersey Dress, $118 @ Nordstom.com

Diane Von Furstenberg Victoire Silk Wrap Dress, $425, Net-A-Porter.com

Loeffler Randall Cotton Sheath with Ribbon Detial, $375, Saks.com

Moschino Cheap And Chic Jacquard Lamé Dress, $795, Saks.com

2) A chic evening clutch: sized only to hold the essentials like lipstick, cell phone and a credit card

3) an evening coat or wrap : Nothing ruins a party dress more than throwing on your big bulky overcoat over it.  Even worse is wearing your husband's suit jacket by the end of the night!  An appropriate outer-layer can be anything from a pashmina to a knee-length brocade coat.  My favorite and the most versatile is a knee-length version.  There are even evening trenchcoats.  To ensure the most wearability, choose black or a metallic.

4) Bold jewelry - like a statement necklace, jeweled cuff or cocktail ring:

J.Crew Giant Starburst Ring, $68

Banana Republic Broach Bangle, $39

White House/Black Market Candlelight Necklace, $54

5) A fitted velvet jacket: November thru January is about the only time I like velvet, and usually only in the form of a structured jacket.  great to pair with a ruffled blouse and trousers for a semi-dressy or office occasion, and jeans for something more casual.  This goes for

 men, too!  My favorite outfit of my husband's holiday attire is his Diesel jeans, white button-down shirt with French cuffs (special cuff links are a great way for men to accessorize!) and deep cobalt blue velvet blazer.

Ann Taylor, $158

Banana Republic Brown Two-button Velvet Blazer, $250

John Hardy Midnight Cuff Links, Bromberg's, $1595

NOTE: Christmas parties start in early December, so shop now!  Definitely don't wait until The Biggest Shopping Day of the Year (day after Thanksgiving) when your choices will be limited as things will all be picked over.

chicGIFTING

TWO WAYS 

to be stylish 

this Holiday!

1) Give the gift of style with a Gift Certificate from chicmadesimple!

-Specify an amount & a service (a Personal Shopping trip; a Closet Re-Vamp...see website for more options)

-Your gift certificate will come personalized & stylishly gift-wrapped

2) Ensure EVERY package is a chicGIFT with chicmadesimple's

     NEW gift-wrapping service!

-Everybody knows that a gift beautifully wrapped on 

the outside makes what's inside even

more special. So, after years of request, self-described gift-wrap fanatic Tracy Robinson is offering holiday gift-wrapping services.

-Each package will be uniquely wrapped 

according to gender & desired motif (traditional, modern, etc.)  Simply drop off your p

ackages & pick up at your convenience!

-Prices (which include labor & superior-quality supplies) are as follows:         

XX-Small: $2.50

X-Small: $3.50

Small: $4.50

Medium #1: $6

Medium #2: $8

Large: $10

X-Large: $12

Jumbo: $15

Chic Made Simple's ABC's of Fashion

...What every woman should have in her wardrobe...

A- A-line Dress (so flattering!)

B - Blazer (fitted)

C- Cuff (the classically elegant bracelet)


D- Diamond Studs (real or faux)

E- Evening Bag (sized to hold only the essentials)

F- Femininity (make sure your softer side is represented)

G- Gloves (preferably leather)



H- Heels (2 1/2 inches or higher)












I- Investment Piece (have one expensive piece you love- a bag, a shoe - to spruce up those budget items)






J- Jeans (note: so called "premium" denim is worth the money! And the darker they are, generally the dressier & more flattering they are.)






K- Knee Boots (musts for Winter/Fall in black & dark brown)












L- Little Black Dress




M- Metallic (go-with-everything pewter & bronze)







N- Necklace (go bold: a statement piece)











O- Overcoat (pick the right size & shape for your frame)


















P- Peep-Toes (appropriate year-round)


Q- Quality (not quantity)


R- Runway to Reality (interpret the trends to make sense in your life)






S- Suit (whether pant or skirt, always a good staple to have on hand)










T- Trench Coat

U- Umbrella

















V- Valise (be stylish even when you travel)

W-Watch (the one you choose says a lot about you)

X- X-Factor (have at least a few items in your closet that push the envelope for you)


Y- Young-at-Heart (be age-appropriate, but have a sense of fun in your wardrobe!)

Z- Zen (don’t stress about your style!)

Ask Tracy

Q:
Dear Tracy,
I've read your analysis of the Presidential candidates' styles, but what about the potential Frist Ladies? Who has more style, Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain?
-L.M.

A:
Dear L.M.,
In fact, just this week Project Runway's Tim Gunn gave his critique of the ladies in question in Us Weekly magazine's celebrity news blog. In Gunn's opinion there is "no contest," and Michelle has the better style. "She epitomizes class and American style," he said. "She looks approachable." "Cindy, on the other hand -- with her button-down suits and blouses -- looks like she's duct-taped," he told Us. "Her fashion is a metaphor for her personality," he added.

So what is my opinion? Well, while Cindy is undoubtedly an attractive lady and I admire her ability to look immaculately "perfect" on the campaign trail, her lookis often a little too June Cleaver/Stepford Wife/Mother-of-the-Bride for me. Her extremely structured leather jackets paired with a turtleneck and up-do hairstyle make for a rather severe look. And unfortunately when she does try to soften, she dresses a bit juvenile. I find myself humming "On the Good Ship Lollipop," especially in regards to the outfit she donned the day the arm sling debuted (in addition to fashion tweaking, the poor woman obviously needs some calcium supplements). St. John and Escada are obvious favorite desingers, as evidenced by her appearances and $750,000 AMEX bill.

As far as Michelle goes, her style appears to be a work in progress, evolving and sharpening before our eyes, but I have to agree with Tim Gunn that she has the edge. At the least, her style is more current and her wardrobe choices come across as more effortless and not as contrived...as if she serves more of a purpose than to just look pretty and enhance the appearance of her husband. That said, especially Michelle's hair and makeup always look very pretty and natural.  Many of her outfits are made by Chicago-based designer Maria Pinto.  (Oprah and BFF Gayle King are also fans.)

Reminder: Project Runway 5 begins July 16!

The best fashion show on TV is back! Bravo's fifth season of the three-time Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning creative competition reality series Project Runway returns Wednesday, July 16 in a new time slot - 9/8c. Returning to the runway, host and supermodel Heidi Klum heads a panel of industry luminaries, including top women's and menswear designer Michael Kors and fashion expert Nina Garcia, as they decide which aspiring designer is "in" or "out." Tim Gunn, Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne, Inc., will once again act as a mentor to the designers as they take on weekly fashion challenges. The 16 Project Runway contestants will be whittled down week-by-week to the finalists who will show their own line in front of an audience of fashion industry movers and shakers at New York Fashion Week.

Tail Spin

Ponytails have never been so popular--or so chic. From the runway to the red carpet, the sporty do got a high-glamour makeover for summer. Here are some simple styling tips and the pretty hair accessories you want right now.

On the Up & Up
A pony placed high on the head is a stylish way to ride out the heat and
humidity--not to mention give cheekbones an instant lift.

Step 1: To achieve a super-sleek look, dampen hair with a frizz-fighting spray and slick it back using a boar-bristle brush. Or for a softer take, Kate Beckinsale's stylist, Adir Abergel, suggests applying volumizer to the roots and teasing them gently.
Step 2: Gather hair up high (at the back of the crown) and secure with a thick elastic to prevent sagging.
Step 3: For an elegant finish, run a flatiron over the tail, or use a curling iron to coax it into a soft twist.

Wave Rider
Flouncy and flirty, the new low pony lets you embrace tousled texture and still look perfectly polished.

Step 1: Add body and bounce by applying a volumizer to damp hair, then blow-dry using a medium round brush.
Step 2: Concentrating on the mid-shaft down, wrap 2-inch sections of hair around a 1-inch-barrel curling iron. Once the waves have set and cooled, tease them lightly from roots to ends.
Step 3: For extra lift, Kate Hudson's stylist, David Babaii, says to muss roots with your fingertips and gather hair from the central part of the crown into a small elastic.
Step 4: Sweep loose hair into a low ponytail and wrap a few strands around the base to hide the rubber band.

It's a Wrap
With a colorful head scarf you can tame stubborn flyaways, mask roots and protect hair from the sun--all while looking like you've just returned from an exotic globe trot.

Step 1: Give hair hold--without the helmet effect--by misting it with texturizing spray from roots to ends. "You want your hair to appear as if you've just stepped out of the ocean and casually pulled it back into a ponytail," says hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai, who created the Polynesian-inspired looks at the Diane von Furstenberg show.
Step 2: Gather dampened locks into a mid-height ponytail and rub a lightweight defining cream over the tail for a beachy finish.
Step 3: Fold your scarf into a 3-inch-wide strip and wrap it around your head so that the edge hits right at your hairline (if you have bangs, push the scarf back 2 inches so that hair swoops across your forehead). Tie the scarf into a knot and "let the ends hang down the back for a carefree, sexy look," says Fekkai.

Ponytail Dont's?
Yes!! Pigtails and braids are fine for the under 15 set, but a little too "adorable" for adult women. You'll wind up looking cheap or like you're trying too hard..or just plain silly. No matter how young you feel or think you look, leave the pigtails and braids to your daughters.


On that note...

Childhood Braid Lives Again

I am happy to report that my mother freakishly holding onto said braid for 20+ years (stored in a shoebox labeled, "Tracy's hair"), has proved worthwhile. This week the braid was donated to Locks of Love, an organization that makes hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We had previously questioned whether the hair was usable due to its age, but Locks of Love said that because it has remained in a braid for this long, it is perfectly fine. The minimum required length is 10 inches, and my braid is over 17 inches!
Being able to make this contribution not only means a lot to me, due to my father's hair loss during his battle with cancer, but also to my husband, whose sister never re-grew her hair after she lost it due to radiation treatment in the 5th grade. I hope my braid will be used to give a child the self-confidence she or he needs to fight their disease.

Ask Tracy

Q:
Dear Tracy,
What are some of your favorite websites for online shopping?
-S.S.

A:
Dear S.S.,
Online shopping keeps getting better and better. Because you can shop from the comfort of your own home and most sites are very user-friendly, I prescribe it to a lot of my clients who simply hate going into stores, but (rather than have me shop for them) want to give it a try themselves. To stay competitive, more and more sites are offering free shipping. An insider secret is www.retailmenot.com, a resource for finding promos and coupon codes. Simply enter in the website on which you are shopping, and RetailMeNot will immediately let you know of any ongoing discounts on that site.

When searching the internet for items for clients, I often don't have time to scour through tons of sites, so I love www.shopstyle.com - "The looks you crave from the stores you love. All in one place." Its search tool will give you picture results from all over the net (including some of my favorite sites, like Net-a-Porter, ShopBop, Neiman-Marcus) and allows you to refine your results by various facots such as sale items and available sizes. The one-stop shop saves a lot of time and effort and is a great way to compare prices.

Another good search site for comparison shopping is www.like.com, whose unique "visual search" allows you to find similar items at the click of your mouse. Like that Catherine Malandrino dress but not the price? Search for similar styles. You can even get as detailed as highlighting a certain part of an item (color, pattern, shape) by which to search.

Finally, www.chickdowntown.com is another fave. This well-organized and attractive site offers great styles from a bevvy of designers. Their "Lookbook" offers a pictoral on the season's latest fashions, as do their magazine-style groupings (for example, "Summer Chic," "The Basics," "Good Evenings"). They also have special sections for organic clothing and Celeb Style ("as seen on" fashions).

Happy surfing!

greenCHIC Part Two

With Earth Day approaching (April 22nd), it's worth revisiting how to encorporate eco-friendliness into our style...

Top Five Ways to be greenCHIC:

1) Edit your closet.

With the help of a consultant or on your own, take the time to go through each item of clothing you own and remove those items that don't flatter, don't fit, look worn or for whatever reason you simply don't wear. Those excess items in your closet just prevent you from seeing and wearing the good stuff. Also take out items that need to be repaired and put them in a pile to take to your tailor. Either donate or consign your edited items. In other words, when it comes to your closet, less is more.

2) Recycle your clothing.

According to the Council for Textile Recycling, clothing waste accounts for 4% of all American landfill content. Rather than throw that shabby t-shirt in the trash, donate it to a group such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill, who sell such items to fabric recycling groups. Or, see if your item falls into a category of a few clever companies who have devised ways to bring items too shabby for donation full circle - and keep them our of the trash. One such company is Nike, who will accept athletic shoes of any brand, turning them into "Nike Grind," a material used in sports surfaces (basketball courts, running tracks) donated to children's organizations. Another is Patagonia - drop off used Patagonia or Polartec fleece garments at a Patagonia store or mail them to the company's service center, and they'll recycle the old fabrics into new clothing.
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe www.nike.com/nikebiz/reuseashoe
Patagonia Common Threads Garment Recycling www.patagonia.com/recycle

3) Use a greener dry cleaner.

Even better, try to avoid dry cleaning as much as possible. My clients have heard me lecture about the evil of conventional dry cleaning, as it is both horrible for our clothes and for the environment. The standard solvent is perchloroethylene (or PERC), a central nervous system depressant that is listed as a hazardous air pollutant under the federal standards. I advise that clothing be immediately removed from the plastic bags, so the chemicals won't be held in and damage your clothing even further. However, the PERC will slowly be released into the air in your home. So the best solution is to ditch your conventional dry cleaner altogether. Spot clean or machine wash when you can, and if you must dry clean, a less toxic alternative is a GreenEarth dry cleaner, a silicone-based solvent used in modified dry-cleaning machines. To find a GreenEarth cleaner near you, go to www.greenearthcleaning.com.

4) Be material-istic.

Choosing eco-friendly fabrics is important not only to the environment but to your health. Take cotton, for example - you've seen all those commercials portraying cotton as the "feel good" fabric. Well, it's actually an environmental disaster. Growing conventional cotton is THE most pesticide-intensive process in the world. Only 3% of the world's farmland is used for growing cotton, yet conventional cotton uses about 24% of the world's insecticides and 11% of the world's pesticides (50 million lbs. in the US alone) - which permeate the air, damage the soil and seep into the water supply. All of those chemicals in the field translate to about a third of a cup of chemicals (which include such known cancer-causing agents as cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite and trifluralin) on your cute little cotton tee. So...opt for organic cotton, which is becoming more available in the marketplace. Other eco-friendly fabrics include silk, cashmere, linen and wool. (For green goods, check out www.shopenvi.com, www.bepresent.com and www.greenwithglamour.com)

5) Bag the shopping bags.

Shopping bags, both paper and plastic are bigger environmental offenders than you realize. Recycle your bags and/or reuse them by taking your favorite one with you on your shopping trip for all your purchases. Even better (since many of those high-end bags are made of a laminate paper-plastic combo and cannot be recycled), give up bags completely and carry a chic tote in which to bag all of your buys.