How cute is that? We ladies squeeze ourselves into pants/shorts/skirts that are 2 sizes too small everyday, creating the unsightly “muffin top” effect of our love handles spilling over the sides. Its not cute. We need smooth lines ladies, remember the ultimate sexy hourglass image is what we want to keep. Gladly, the age of the low-rise jeans has passed and been parked! High-waists help us to stop the foolishness of the exposed crack and the muffin top. Some of us however cannot help it, whenever we wear pants, we always have a little extra hanging over disturbing the hourglass silhouette. Well, there are always tops that will help you to cover it up! A top with a high seam is your friend. Whether it has a seam under the bust area creating a baby-doll effect or a seam above to create an A-line, the both flow away from the mid-section to give you comfort and movement and of course still keeps the fabulosity factor high if you accessorize and keep on trend. Just be wary of the baby-doll top that makes you look preggers! The band should fit smugly below your bust area so it will fall and not “pouf” out. Here’s some options from Forever 21, Wetseal that will help you cover up that muffin top while keeping the “hauteness” high. And when in doubt, go with a dress!

Main image source 

One of the many glamourous fashion careers is that of a stylist. Most of us common folk refer to our hairdresser or maybe a make-up artist as a stylist but in the world of fashion, a stylist goes much further beyond styling hair. According to Jennie S. Bev,  THE fashion, image and fun careers expert, “a stylist is an expert who uses art and science to make people and objects look good in order to make a statement.” So the stylist is that person who dresses the celebs for their appearances and photoshoots, accessorizes them and transform them into the perfect image we see on screen or on magazine pages. We can break down stylists into categories such as Fashion Stylist, Celebrity Stylist, Image Stylist, Costume Stylist, Make-up Stylist and Photo Stylist, working with anything from apparel and accessories to food, furniture, landscaping and interior/exterior designing. Stylists mostly work in fashion houses, magazine publications, photo shoots, movie/video sets, advertising houses, haute couturiers or personally with celebrities and other wealthy individuals. They shop for the rich and famous putting together outfits for big-named events, smaller appearances or even their entire wardrobe, cause a celeb has to look good even when going shopping! Fashion.net has more insight on fashion styling and how to get your feet wet, its a very good read.

Anatolli Smith is the stylist that worked on the set of Cherine Anderson’s newest video, “Me and You Against the World” where she spoke of how happy she was working with him and the way he upped the fashion ante in this video. I followed up with Anatolli on his role of stylist, how he got involved in that field and what he has done so far. And yes, Anatolli is a Jamaican! Here’s what he had to say:

I’ve been working in fashion for a number of years. My first dabbling was while I was in high school at Wolmer’s, I wrote a weekly fashion column for the Observer’s TeenAge. Left high school and went to NY for Columbia where I started hosted a fashion tv program on the school’s network called “Style.” While at Columbia, I did a couple of fashion magazine internships — Details, Flaunt and eventually worked pretty extensively with the style director of Flaunt. When I graduated college, I was already pretty certain that I wanted to be a fashion editor but wanted to make sure I had a really solid background in the substance of fashion, so I pursued a masters degree in fashion history and theory at FIT. Meanwhile I was hired initially as a manager but then became Fashion Director for a wardrobe management company where I managed the wardrobes of New York socialites and a couple of celebs, and worked as a personal shopper for some of the wealthiest, and craziest women in the city. In addition, I managed the collection archives of Zac Posen and the fur collections for Valentino in NY.

Since then I spent some time as an assistant at Elle Accessories magazine and interned with and assisted any stylist/fashion editor I could. Most of what I do is editorial and advertising and some celebrity here and there. I’ve worked on editorials for French Vogue, Japanese Vogue, Chinese Vogue, Italian Vogue V, V Man, W, Bazaar, NY Times and others, and have worked on a number of advertising campaigns and a some shows.

If you have any questions for Anatolli and his glamourous life as a stylist, drop them in the comments section and he’ll be happy to oblige! Check out Anatolli and Cherine on the set of the new video and see the brand new video below!!!

I have a friend, she’s probably a size 00, or maybe a negative 2! Yeah she’ll kill me for saying so but girl is meagre! Its true, not because models are thread thin, means that everything fits them. There are very few pieces that fits EVERY body type, most will work dead on for only one or two body types. So she told me about a particular top that she saw on a slimmy that was on Tyra, asked me if I knew what it was called and where she could get one. I have no clue if the style itself has a particular name, however I know she was referring to one of those huge-sleeved tops that just kinda hangs, but in a most cute manner. Its the type of top that flatters with being body-hugging and for that particular reason, I have a few of them hanging in my own closet. It makes me, a far cry from a size 2, feel sexy and cute but comfortable and not having to wonder whether I’m having a “muffin top” effect going on. She was feeling the top because it looked cute and chic and did not require curves to do so. She was talking about one of these black tops you see to the left. The pic doesn’t quite show the detailing though

There are a million and one variations, as well as flutter sleeve and kimono styled type tops which have a similar effect.

She wanted to know what other recommendations I have for persons of the slender variety. Slim people have the body type to carry off those cute little tops that come with built in bras or seams that fit snugly around the bust area as they never come with enough room for a more endowed lady. Tube tops work really well on a slimmy as well and so does layering. Layering gives definition and creates curvature. Bulky materials will always do the trick and how about some cute summer dresses? This particular friend will cringe at the idea…but hey summer dresses are cute and with a little shrug or sweater thrown over, you’re good to go! Skinny girls can also wear tops with an extreme plunge between the girls for a night on the town. Just make sure you secure with a little double stick tape! Here are a few of my ideas:

If you work in a strict corporate office, chances are they have issued a uniform for you to wear to work, minimizing the risk of you showing too much personality in your work attire. Because lets face it, many of us are not quite sure how to look fashionably professional, so we push our office dress code boundaries or we stick to mundane. I have a few suggestions here on how to look cute while still corporate, if you happen to work in an office setting that hasn’t gone uniformed.

All it requires is the first step of taking a look at what the basic work wardrobe should be like, and adding a few touches of cute and fashion to reflect your personality. If you’re fresh out of college and are just starting to build up your work wardrobe, the first thing you should buy is a professional suit to wear on your interviews and a few mix and match items; basic black pencil or a-line skirt, a few button down shirts, a black blazer, black pants and black pumps. You’ll probably continue buying these items in different colors before starting to add unique pieces because you want to make sure you can go a few weeks of mix and matching. After a while you’re creativity should kick in and you should have noticed enough of the accepted work attire around you to start adding touches of yourself into your outfits.

I am a girly girl, so I look for figure flattering silhouettes, ruffles and frills and cute patterns. Different materials and colour can also infuse a uniqueness into your outfit, like a plain button down shirt in a silk fabric will instantly set you apart from the all the cotton blends walking around the cubicles. Don’t be afraid of dresses also, sweater dresses and wrap dresses are too cute and still corporate once the length is flattering and not more than an inch above your knees. Layer a wrap dress with a long sweater, structured jacket or a short shrug to add dimension and keep the conservative feel for the office and be careful of the plunge of the wrap as some are deeper than others.

This pink ruffle blouse is so cute and allows you to wear a tube or spaghetti strap underneath, giving us more mix and match opportunities plus talk about from day to night work wear! Wear it over your little black dress and ditch it for cocktails after work.

A cute little vest over your work-shirt can also make an outfit trendy, whether in colour, fabric or pattern. This cute little blue plaid vest adds fun to a basic black pant/white shirt outfit or you can keep it strict but still add flair with this black pinstripe option. A cropped jacket makes for a flattering silhouette as well and layering is keeps you trendy and corporate. Also below see the sweater dress I referred to as well as a cute blue one button shrug that will work well for covering camisoles without having to wear a jacket.  Try a few wide-legged pants in your office closet as well, they are snug without being snug. Too many of us wear “too-tight” pants to work. Of course, I couldn’t have gone without throwing in a high-waisted skirt in the mix…are you brave enough to rock it well?

Items taken from wetseal.com, forever21.com and nordstrom.com and lead image is an outfit by Keneea Linton

Ok. Shopping didn’t work out as I had hoped, but have no fear I’m still here with the style guide for the men. Gentlemen, step into my office and lets discuss your outfit for Absinthe “The Genesis” this New Year’s Eve. As my opening image shows, you can rock it out like LL or go smoooooothe like Jay Z and still be sexy, trendy, cool. Trends for men this season include gray jeans, slimmer fitting pants (don’t get crazy with the slim) and you all are in on the shine factor as well. Shirts/T-shirts with a lil bling action going on puts you in that fashion forward category. Drop a blazer over this black t-shirt for instant rock star fab. This military style blazer that Diddy is rocking will push you even further rock star as military jackets are so hot right now. This jacket + this black shirt with the bling over some gray jeans = HOTT! These jeans will do the trick. They are Guess and can be found at shop.guess.com

Of course a classic button up shirt will do the trick, this one item can allow you to still express your personal style by the print you choose. A simple stripe print is chic or a shirt with a great print on the back adds the party touch to the outfit. I like these three from Nordstrom.com they’re from simple to stylin’

Here’s another blazered look with jeans that is fabulous and trendy in that desired “understated” manner. But I mean, it is New Year’s Eve, and it is Absinthe…why go understated? Throw a vest over a classic silk shirt in a deep hue like wine red or royal blue and don a complementing fedora and be pimping! Clean white suit? PIMPING

Just don’t do like these clowns and pimp in outfits not practical in our weather…I mean come on now, fur in Jamaica??? I’m not kidding and I know you’ve seen it too!

Ciao gentlemen…see you at Absinthe this New Year’s Eve!

Say what now??? The promoter’s of Absinthe “The Genesis” has opted for this description of the dress code for one of this year’s most anticipated New Year’s Eve blow-out here in Jamaica. If you don’t get exactly what they mean, lemme break it down for ya, and if you know, but want me to give you some outfit inspirations, you know Irie Diva’s got ya back!

All it is, is a fashion-forward elegance. It’s not quite the long gown and the three piece suit, but the cocktail dress and the “pimp suit.” It’s not quite grown but more grown and sexy! It’s simply a trendy twist on a semi-formal affair. We don’t have to go all out in the long-gown-with-train ball gown or the full blown penguin suit, but we’ll take those inspiration and add some fashionable pizazz.

Being out and about this party season, I see that we’ve taken a liking to purple, leggings, high-waists and all things shiny. These are the trends that are most common at parties, so if you’re feeling these trends as well and you were thinking of rocking one on New Year’s Eve, I implore you to look for something a little different. Instead of going for a full sequined dress, look for something that embellished with stones or shiny buttons or some other type of embellishment. If you like the shiny, look for shiny that’s not satin and if you’re wearing leggings, try the kind that go all the way down into your shoe, as it seems I am one of the few that are feeling long leggings and therefore a refreshing change to the sea of black leggings with silver buttons that keep coming at me. I’ve even found it hard to find long black leggings for sale here…but my black nylons do the trick (bet you never thought about those huh)

Why am I going on and on about leggings for a understated elegance theme? Because a cute mini patterned shift dress or tunic will be very cute and very chic over a pair of long leggings, perfect for such an event. See this Roberto Cavalli dress? It’ll be totally unexpected in this season of satin and shine and therefore you’ll be different and hot pairing it with black nylons and a rose pink clutch. Patterns will be every where next year as well, so you’ll actually be very fashion forward. If you want to stick within the trends, here are a few of my picks. Notice that quite a few of them are shiny without being sequined? Look for those pieces. As usual, you can click the images for details of each item and click the flyer below for the details of Absinthe. I haven’t forgotten about my male readers. Tomorrow, I go shopping with an Absinthe patron for the ultimate party “pimp” suit!

Here’s a challenge for you! Can you mix several fashion trends together and not look overdone? Today I have a set created with a few of my favorite trends this Christmas. I’ve taken a simple (well its covered in sequins but its simple in cut) dress from Wetseal.com and combined it with black opaque tights that I love so much when they’re paired with booties. I’ve also thrown in a clutch in a contrasting turqoise colour and a few bangles to pick up that colour. I went even further out to throw a wrap around it…you know we Jamaicans aren’t big on scarves…we have no need to as it hardly gets cold enough out here to need one. But scarves are uber-chic and brings together my outfit nicely…or at least, so I think. Do you agree? If you chose almost, I’d love hear to how you would have made it pop! I’m open to all critiques. If you’re a stylist at heart, run on over to Polyvore and lemme see what you’re made of.

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Here’s a fab tip for keeping your sequined and bejeweled outfits clean, put them in a pillow case and pop ‘em in your gentle cycle! Your wardrobe may see a few of these this season so learn how to care for them here! Thanks for the tip Angie!

Big girls, this one goes out especially to you! The shift dress was made popular in the 1960s and is back in focus now in pretty much the same styles and some with a few updates. What it is, is basically a sleeveless dress that hangs loose from the shoulders with little definition in the waist area. It is normally quite short and airy thus perfect for women with a fuller figure. Today, shift dresses come in a variety of updated styles which includes different sleeves and embellishments and are accessorised by wearing them with the now popular opaque tights and heels or slapping a belt over them to define your waist (excellent mix and matching prospects) Shift dresses are too versatile to be left out of your closet this season as they go from day to night, from office to cocktails. Pay homage to the fabulous fashion era that was the sixties by donning one in a fabulous print or go now-trendy in embellishments like this hot silver number at one of this year’s hot Christmas parties.

Or black and navy for that matter. Last time on Did he get it right I asked you my beloved readers to decide if black and brown was mixed effectively. Voting is still young and so far it seems y’all aren’t quite sure. Let me help you to see the light a little bit clearer people!!! That was not the way to mix black and brown. Black and brown are two neutrals yes, but throwing together a pair of brown pants and a black shirt do not a fabulous outfit make! Now, the rule of never mixing black and brown has long been thrown out the window. But with every trend there is a way to do it right, no? So let us tweak the black and brown “rule” and show each other exactly how its done.

I find that the shade has alot to do with it. Black is black is black but not all browns are the same. It seems odd that you can find something that actually doesn’t match with the staple that is black but some shades of brown, especially the darker shades are not easy to match. His rusty brown coloured pants were just not working perfectly with the black shirt. If you’re mixing black and brown, try to use a brown that is of a lighter shade, go close to khaki. Another point of note: they’re two very prominent colors, they will compete for attention if you throw big pieces of them together. Black with brown accessories or brown with black accessories? HOT! Make one the accent to your outfit and you will pull off a black and brown mix fabulously. A brown suit with a black shirt will work and vice versa…it just all depends on the shade of brown (a brown pattern instead of a brown solid is a good way to go too)

Now, black and brown as I said before, are two neutrals. Kinda blah. Therefore the right accessories are needed to snazz things up, throw in some texture like patent leather that’s hot now or jewels, maybe an animal print bag, or maybe a shoe in an entire different color like a jewel toned red or green pump. Something to shake it up and add that touch of fabulousity. I looked long and hard to find outfits that brought together black and brown fabulously but I came up short, so I’ll have to fix up one for ya. I did find that Kasmira from What I Wore Today(she’s such a trendy lil fashionista) had tried her hand at the black and brown mix and pulled it off pairing black boots and jacket with a brown dress. Its a cute outfit, but even she wishes that she had “a teal shoe, to add a bit of ‘pop.’ ” You’ll notice that the shade of brown is subdued and not in striking competition with the black and she does the job of making black the prominent colour in the outfit by wearing the jacket as well. Had she nixed the jacket, I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked the outfit as much.

I hope she wore a black bag. One thing that rubs me wrong is wearing a black outfit with a brown bar or vice versa, now that’s just wrong. There’s nothing wrong with contrasting colours, as long as its colours that pop together. But that’s a whole ‘nother post (don’t worry, its coming quite soon)

Different shades is always a good thing. Like with my first outfit, I chose to do a beige cami under the black suit with brown accessories. Of course one easy way to mix black and brown is to center it around a pattern that already mixes it like an animal print. These budget-friendly outfits were made using Rampage’s Outfit Builder. Any thoughts or pics on the black and brown mixing rule?

Its time for a taste of the finer things in life. This post speaks to the males. Males on a mission, on that corporate ladder heading to big things. While some men do not pay great attention to fashion, regard should be placed on some pieces of your wardrobe that speak to your style, status and personality. A watch is one of those pieces. It shows good taste, professionalism, confidence and sex appeal (there’s nothing sexier on a man’s arm, ditch the skull bracelets and pinky rings). Yes a watch can do all those things. Its the reason its such a status symbol and one of those things you should invest in if the boardroom is where you’re heading.

Where else to turn when asking the question, “how do I select THE perfect watch?”, than GQ?

GQ gives us the low down on purchasing the most important accessory in a male wardrobe by first telling us the 5 things we need to know.

Five watch terms that will make you sound like an industry pro

1. Complication
Any function of a watch that goes beyond simple timekeeping. Could be an annual or lunar calendar, could be something as basic as a stopwatch.

2. Movement
All those bits and pieces inside that run the thing.

3. Quartz
A movement powered by a battery and regulated by the oscillations of a quartz crystal. It’s way more accurate than other watch types-which isn’t to say we necessarily recommend you buy one.

4. Self-winding
A type of mechanical watch, containing a rotor on a pivot, that’s wound by the day-to-day movements of the wearer’s wrist. It’s also referred to as automatic.

5. Water-resistant
Just because a watch says it’s water-resistant doesn’t mean you should swim or shower with it on. To be safe, only do so if it’s water-resistant up to one hundred meters.

This is a Tag Heuer watch that I love, described by GQ as an everyday, wear to work type watch. It retails for $1995.

You can read the entire article here (its worth it men!) or check out the excerpt below:

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