You Wear It Well

You'd wear this well!
But it would be more fun to
 wear this top in  a cool pattern
 or color or layered with a
colored cami and jacket.

Rod Stewart sang "You Wear It Well" in 1972. As far as I can ascertain from childhood photos I was wearing handmade polyester jumpers in '72. Not so sure anyone can wear that well! I'm sure you've come a long way with your style since 1972 (well, many of you weren't even born yet!). Now that it's 2012, what are you wearing well?

Most of us are attracted to a certain silhouette, something we tend to purchase over and over again. Perhaps in different colors or patterns but similar lines. If it's not a specific silhouette we're drawn to, it is often a color we seek over and over again. I'm here to report those colors are often grey and black from the closets I've seen. What if we are just purchasing these items out of habit and we don't actually wear it so well after all? Or maybe we do wear it well but there are lots of other styles and colors we could wear well? Since it's a new year, why not try out some new colors and silhouettes? Do some experimenting- take a friend shopping with you and ask the ultimate style question, "do I wear this well?".  You may be surprised by the answer.

Whether it's what you own or what you'll be buying, wear it well in 2012 when you take a fresh approach to dressing. When you do You'll Love What You Wear!

Let The Sunshine In

Be a sun manufacturing plant!

It was 1969 and The Fifth Dimension released the tune "Let The Sunshine In". I remember how my oldest sister would play this 45 over and over. At the risk of waxing poetic about the past it brings me back to simpler times- bell bottoms and the beautiful long dark hair my sister sported- man, did I think she was cool! But I digress (as usual). This is the time of year where we not only have to let the sunshine in, if we can find it, we need to manufacture a little sunshine of our own!

How can you become a sun manufacturing plant you may ask? Obviously there are many ways. I, however will be concentrating on how you can achieve sunshine through your wardrobe! It is tough to get excited about getting dressed in the morning when it's dark, often wet and chilly. As a friend once told me (and I found it irritating) "turn that frown upside down"- ugh! But the truth hurts, doesn't it? One way to create a little sunshine this winter is to feel happy and confident when we leave the house each morning. So make sure your closet is full of things that make you feel good and help you hold your head up high in the rain. A fabulous pair of boots a warm and pretty sweater, your favorite wool pants or jeans. It all helps your mood stay high and the winter fly by. Okay, maybe not fly, but you get the point.

Pull some sunshine out of your closet each day and You'll Love What You Wear!

Shake It Out

All Good stuff!

Forgive me for this obvious post . You knew it was coming. I knew it was coming and you knew that I knew it was coming and well, now it's here. Even Florence + the Machine knew it was coming. They knew earlier though, when they released "Shake It Out" in 2011 (love this song!). Oh, remember 2011? Soooo long ago. Now that it's 2012 it is indeed time to shake it out! As in take your closet, turn it upside down and shake it out.

There's good stuff in that closet of yours, trust me. There's also bad stuff in that closet of yours. After you shake it out only put the good stuff back in. And if you don't know the good stuff from the bad stuff or don't know what to wear with the good stuff, you know who to call. And here's a hint- it's not ghost busters!

Shake it out people, leave the bad behind, and you'll Love What You Wear!

Red Red Wine

If you love red, red wine
you'll love OxiClean!

The great, if not easy to poke fun of, Neil Diamond wrote and recorded "Red Red Wine" in 1968. It was more famously covered by UB40 in 1983. Whether you like this song or prefer one version over the other I'm most certain you would NOT like red, red wine spilled on your NYE outfit.

Many of us will be imbibing in red wine on NYE and spills happen people! You already know the party spillers you'll be surrounded by so do your best to keep your distance from the spiller, unless the spiller is you! More importantly if a spill happens make sure you have OxiClean, a fashionista's best friend, close at hand. No, OxiClean is not a sponsor of Style Cents but man does Style Cents love that OxiClean!

Drink your red wine, have a happy and safe new year, keep your OxiClean in your back pocket (okay, that would actually be a fashion faux pas, but keep nearby) and you'll Love What You Wear!

Closing Of The Year

Remember the movie "Toys" released in 1992? If you do you may also remember the fabulous song "Closing Of The Year" by Wendy and Lisa. It's worth a watch and listen. I always have it in my music rotation on New Year's Eve. And speaking of NYE and the closing of the year, it seems like a good time to make sure you have your closet closed to these fashion don'ts as you enter 2012:

Don't close the year
with this look!

1. Short Shirts- nothing says 1999 like a short short. Make sure the hem of your top hits at hip level. The shorter the shirt the more likely the belly alarm may sound. Plus the short shirt is a great hip enhancer- if that doesn't convince you to go longer nothing will!
2. Mom Jeans- if you're sporting a light wash jean that comes to your belly button, or god forbid, above your belly button, cease and desist immediately! March to to the store and find some dark wash jeans with a mid-rise and toast to the new year and the new you!
3. Super Low Jeans- crack kills. Especially the aging variety.
4. Mom Shoes- there is no excuse for a frumpy shoe these days. Even comfort brands make cute boots and shoes so unless you're a nurse cut it out. There is no quicker way to ruin an outfit than to finish it off with less than stylish footwear.
5. Colorless Outfits- we're all attracted to grey and black and there's nothing wrong with that. There is, however, something wrong with wearing only these colors everyday. Come on, branch out even if it's just adding a colorful accessory to breathe life into your anemic wardrobe.

Honorable Mention-
Skirt and Dress hemlines that hit below the knee- this isn't a hard and fast rule for everyone but for 90% of us it is. Be very careful when your hemline falls below the knee, it can turn you into a nun in a hot minute, especially if you are petite.

The closing of the year is a time to reflect on all the great things from the past 365 days. It's also a time of hope and opportunity as we look at the year ahead. May the closing of your year be a perfect blend of past present and future and may you Love What You Wear!

My Favorite Things

Ahhh, The Sound of Music and Julie Andrews singing "My Favorite Things", good stuff! Most everyone has positive memories surrounding this 1965 movie and song. What were your favorite style memories in 2011? Wait, did I just hear someone ask me what my favorite style memories were? Well, since you asked:

Whether it's 2011 or 2012
a cropped jacket will always
be a favorite thing!

1. Cotton Jersey Scarf- I wore mine several times a week- whether it was on my way to a workout or to the grocery store. So easy to tie, so comfy and warm, all while adding easy going flair.
2. Cropped Black Jacket- can't live without it! Goes with everything and hits mid-torso for a great slimming effect. You can find one most anywhere.
3. Skinny Jeans- I have three pair and I'm not sure that's even enough! Can't wait for spring when I'll be rolling them up once or twice to wear with cute flats or wedges. I hope this trend that's been around for some time continues it's longevity.
4. Boots- duh. Love tucking my leggings and skinny jeans into them. Love them with skirts and dresses. Love them with most everything but a swimsuit. Love flat, wedge and chunky heeled boots. And the cowboy boot? Yes, please!
5. Bracelets- layer, layer, layer- there are never enough.  Put dainty styles with chunky versions and watch the magic happen. 
6. Floral Chiffon Blouse- this trend is so fun to juxtapose with a tougher look like a studded leather bracelet. Prim and tough- great combo. I especially like the v-neck tie variety which is lovely paired with a motorcycle style jacket, skinny jeans and boots.
7. Tunic Top- what could be better with your favorite leggings and skinny jeans? Enough said.
8. Patterned Hoisery- these can breathe new life and modern flair into otherwise ho-hum skirts and dresses. I've got big plans to get a bit bolder with this trend in 2012. 
9. Oxford Shoe- love my Miz Mooz chunky heel version. Putting these in my footwear rotation kept me from wearing boots EVERY day. Pairing them with a white button down and cardigan- nice! And did I mention how comfy?
10. New Hairstyle- sporting a new do is fun even if you don't like it as well as your last do. Change is good and helps spur innovative ideas for your whole look.

Say goodbye to 2011 but take your favorite things into 2012, perhaps in new, fun ways. When you do you'll Love What You Wear!

Muffin Top

A 2010 episode of 30 Rock showcased the hilarious video of  Jenna singing "Muffin Top"- worth a watch and frankly a subject worth discussing. Oh, how we hate the muffin top and how it affects the fit of our jeans, our tops and the much dreaded swimsuit. Soooo, what can those of us that carry this treat with us at all times do?

This ruching makes people say, "what muffin top?"

Oh, there are so many ways to hide your muffin top. Let us count the top five strategies:

1. Almighty ruching- the muffin top's VERY best friend. Ruched tops and dresses are a miraculous design certainly invented by a woman and hide a multitude of sins. Add a subtle pattern and where is the MT?
2.  Wide belt- although the belt can be scary, you'd be surprised how the perfect width of a belt hits you in all the right places to hide your less appreciated area.
3. Long Scarf or Necklace- never underestimate the power of drawing the eye to something pretty. We humans are easily distracted and a pretty scarf or necklace definitely begs for attention while distracting from the MT.
4.  Mid-rise jeans- don't get me wrong, I'm not talking mom jeans here. I'm talking about a nice mid-rise jean that sucks in the area that needs some sucking. Listen Dorothy- you're not in Kansas anymore AND you're not 25 either. Time to face facts, the super-low jean is for your niece or daughter not you!
5.  Confidence- yep, you heard it here, confidence sells and is a great distracter- really! Muffin top or not, you always look your best when you carry yourself and dress yourself with confidence!

Love your body but do your best to make the most of what you've got and You'll Love What You Wear!