Freestylin\\\’

What’s hot to wear on those dainty fingers? Think big… no, bigger than that. Yep, that’s big enough. Pick a stone in a brilliant color, get it huge enough to clock somebody in the eye with, and you’ve got an awesome piece of jewelry. Right now, it’s not so much about little studs, or tiny stones made into a shape — it’s about a big, fat rock that does all the talking. Turquoise happens to be my favorite, but today I saw my friend Claire (Account Manager at Myspace) rockin’ (literally) a bauble the size of my eyeball. It was orange and awesome. While see through and glassy is alright… what’s even better are the opaque stones. They can be that finishing touch to a wardrobe.

Not a fan of rings? Then wear a long strand of colorful beads, or a pendant on a gold chain. White gold is pretty, but the bold and amazing colors of this season will set off yellow gold even better. It’s warm and inviting and it’s definitely the opposite of bling.

Boys who wear leggings. Got a problem with that? Keep it to yourself. One thing I love about fashion is how fun it can be, and also how witty you can be if you dress with a sense of humor.

I found it unfortunate when two of my male friends were scared to dress the way they wanted to dress because of being ridiculed by the run-of-the-mills (as I like to call them). While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wearing Tommy Hilfiger khaki cargo pants with your flip flops (except, of course, the blatant use of horrible sweatshop labor), and there’s definitely nothing wrong with being uninterested in fashion, there is something wrong when you bully someone because of how they dress. I swear this is something we all learned in middle school.

I think it’s awesome when guys want to have fun with their clothes, create a style, and go with it — run with it! One of the guy friends I’m talking about definitely gets laid by more hot girls than any other guy I know, so more power to you.

By the way, what I said about sweatshops? It’s true. A Made in the USA tag? Be careful! “Because they were produced in a territory of the United States, garments traveled tariff-free and quota-free to the profitable U.S. market and were entitled to display the coveted Made in the USA label.” — CNN.com

The new issue(s) of Nylon feature(s) a first: multiple covers with Leighton Meesters and Blake Lively. One of their fashion stories is an homage to John Hughes divas and their suspected regime. It got me thinking about my own experiences working as a video store clerk at an indie place. One of my favorite leading ladies? Parker Posey. Namely in Party Girl. Her style was scenester turned library nerd. How to achieve this look without breaking too many corporate rules? Well, you might not be able to bust on your checkered Vans, but definitely you can gain some chic in a colorful Louboutin heel, dark hose, and a slightly dissheveled suit consisting of a short dark skirt with a colorful sweater. The uglier the print you think might be, the better. Rock it with your favorite pair of spectacles, and you’ve got my favorite 90’s girl.

Since I tend to want to add some quirky with sexy when it comes to my own fashion sense, it can be hard to choose something more “sophisticated” without being a traitor to my particular style. However, I came across Jamison — which is a collective of young NYC based designers. I love their classy and interesting use of lines, how their pieces are edgy and still interview appropriate. Even though I love vintage looks, they are definitely fashion forward.

So, I love fashion. I love all aspects of fashion. I love haircuts, accessories, clothing… I love, love, love it. Writing about fashion is fun. Making fun of some people’s “fashion” taste? Even more fun. Secretly taking pictures of people in bad outfits, blacking out their eyes in Photoshop, and then posting it on the Internet while hating on their outfit? Fun, but pretty unproductive and snobby… what’s better and more helpful? Taking someone’s style and saying “This is how you can make your look more flattering” without changing their “who they be”.

Midwest fashion can be particularly… boring. To put it nicely. Just run-of-the-mill boring. Here are two very special items of advice to the midwest:

1.) Drop the crocs. Donate them. Never buy them. Do not even buy them for your 2 year old niece. They are unfortunate. When will they be in style? Probably with the hipsters of two decades from now. Find any other comfortable shoe, but do not resort to these. Ever. Not even when the hipsters of fashion to come are wearing them because they will be wearing them to make fun of now.

2.) Toss those gaucho pants into the trash with Oscar the Grouch-o. Those wide legged camel toe enhancing pants are… camel toe enhancing. Just wear a skirt!

Now is the time for beards on men. Forget the clean shave and grow out those whiskers, men with beards is definitely hot and husky.

Going gray? Even better. Make sure to trim it so everything isn’t too wild on your face there. What looks great paired with this look is a bit of irony. A well-pressed suit or a clean T-shirt and jeans. Your beard is going to be the hottest accessory this side of a second look!

We think of the classic Jackie-Os when we think of oversized glasses. Black and uber-chic. For the past few years we’ve seen oversized sunglasses be the “it” hot accessory for the summer — it started off with J-Lo and big aviators.

Well, big frame eyeglasses are finally not for nerds anymore — because let’s face it. Nerds have become hot. Skinny jeans, oversized cardigans, where’s Waldo T-shirts, pocket protectors, mullety hair… and frames that we swear should stay in our grandpa’s ugly bin? They’re actually soon to be a hot commodity.

I got my pair from American Apparel. The great thing about them is that they offer oodles of UV protection and cover half your face. But they’re not sunglasses so you can wear them indoors. Best of all you can get your prescriptions put in them because they are high quality plastic that won’t melt on the Bunsen burner. Aesthetically, they are hot and endearing at the same time, they slim the face. Thank goodness for them, because the little bitty black rectangular frames that have been around have been around for about six years.

The first and most important thing is to ENJOY your body. It is going through some surprising and exciting changes. The key is to make these changes work for you. Show off your bump instead of hiding it!

Look out for higher waists! Scour the boutiques for empire waist dresses, high waist skirts, and baby doll cut tops. These ultra-stylish items naturally give way for your bump to grow. They will also be great to wear during stroller time with your baby!

Find waistbands without elastic. They will be more comfy for your tummy, grow with you, and then shrink back after baby!

American Apparel is a good company to start with. Their high waist straight leg pants are fabulous. They also have an A line skirt and pencil skirt with the same waistband that are baby bump must-haves.

Accessorize! From ballet flats to riding boots, you’re going to want to strut in comfort! Expect your feet to grow a little, that’s completely normal. Make sure your shoulder bag isn’t too cumbersome, or try for a sleek clutch. Indulge in cool jewelry for just the right touch.

Materialize…. long shirts made of ribbed or stretchy fabric are key. Test the material on clothing to see if it has a nice amount of give. A long tank with the waist band of your bottoms under your belly is a nice loungey look — and underbelly cleavage isn’t scandalous, it’s sexy!

Improvise. Certain skirts can double as tube tops or provide a gorgeous lampshade silhouette. For an added bonus, experiment with wearing skinny belts under your bust to cinch in the look!

* Eat healthy! Your body is beautiful. Nourish it properly with lots of green leafy vegetables. Ask your health care provider for suggestions for a healthy diet.
* Not all maternity clothes are tents. Consider a key item that might be hard to find belly friendly. Jeans are a good example.

* Your nipples are going to change, grow larger and get darker. Treat yourself a bra with slight padding to avoid the headlights effect.
* Every pregnant woman’s body is different. You might just gain weight in your belly, or you might gain weight everywhere. Either way, celebrate this special time.
* Buy things that fit. Make sure that the sizes you are trying on are flattering. It might mean going up in size, but that’s absolutely normal and gorgeous!

Fans of the empire waist have the sweetest treat, because this season it is back in full effect. Empire waists show off a romantic look straight from the1960’s and early 70’s – an era dominated by youth and revolution. It is a look inspired by early Greco-Roman art, where we see women donning apparel gathered right under the bust. Last year, the empire silhouette flirted in boutique windows with short baby doll cuts. This year, these high waists flow into hemlines loosely below the knees and at the ankles.

With prom nearing, the “evening gown” section of your favorite vintage store should be brimming with an array of fabrics and necklines. For a night out, accessorize minimally and let the dress do the talking. If you’re shopping for a poolside look, snag a hot pair of sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat while you’re at it. Most vintage stores will give you a discount for buying a few pieces, so make sure to scope the place for a couple to-die-for items. Other key pieces include open toe flats and snakeskin kitten heels. Higher heels would result in overkill considering the waistline already gives a taller illusion.

This silhouette is not only prom perfect, but wedding perfect as well! There’s a chance you might find it crowded at the evening rack at your favorite vintage store if you’ve waited until the last minute. Vintageous.com offers a fabulous collection of authentic vintage formal, cocktail, and sun dresses. They also have absolutely gorgeous Sarmi pieces that they have recently added to their collection. Be sure that the bust fits comfortably, as the vintage cuts run smaller. Bring along any undergarments you plan to wear because they can add bulk to the shape. If you fall in love with a dress that doesn’t quite fit, check to see if it can be altered in the bust – luckily the high waist and draping skirt can make alterations a little easier.

It’s not exactly a look for the office. The bare shoulders and long hemline clash with the coveted magazine clutches that are all the rage this season. However, a business casual look can be achieved with a darker dress, cropped blazer (to avoid competing waistlines!), and a long strand of beads as a necklace. Try a simple necklace that hits your natural waistline for a slenderizing effect.

For a contemporary take on the empire waist try Rachel Pally (rachelpally.com). She offers bold, gorgeous colors and simple necklines that show off the collarbone. Including a textured vintage bracelet will give the brand new dress a retro feel. These dresses are the perfect backdrop to show off stunning and unusual jewelry. Try an aquamarine cuff bracelet. The cuff bracelet should slip on comfortably without slipping off too easily. Flat oblong rings or large solitary stones make a sophisticated statement!

This is definitely a soft look, but it is surprisingly easy to transition it into something more hip and edgy. For a real surprise, try slipping on your old pair of high top Converse. This comfy contrast will give the wearer the right touch of youthful, tongue-in-cheek grit. Another way to add some style is accessorizing with a wide, funky belt, small enough to sit under your bust. Try a leather belt in a bold color (sea blue looks amazing), or a touch of animal print. Want something sexier? Try opting for a dress with a provocative slit down one side, or even down the front!

Authentic vintage versions of this cut are amazing. From bohemian chic or Foxy Brownalicious — finding the right accessories will put a modern day spin on this 60’s fairy tale look.

A few years ago, I had the insane pleasure of interviewing Candace Bushnell, who is one of the women I admire the most when it comes to writing about fashion and dating. She’s amazing! She said she spent tons of time at designer discount racks.

“They’re discounted for a reason,” she said. “Nobody wants to wear them. But I would!”

Honestly, sometimes that’s what will create a unique look. I’m not talking about the discount bin at Urban Outfitters. Those tend to have mass amounts of overstock that didn’t sell. However, if you rummage through designer racks, you can find very interesting pieces that people were not brave enough to wear. Wading through the 70% off items at my favorite site, I found some gems that are great deals!

Ever since discovering American Apparel, I’ve loved using skirts as dresses! Check out the cute blue dress/skirt in the picture by Thayer!

More finds:
A Shelly Steffee metallic drape dress with belt: $208.80
Bubble velvet dress by Sea (my favorite): $156.00 (a steal for this look!)

Picture courtesy shopbop.com.