Stylefile: Amerie

"I don't feel I need to exhibit myself like a piece of meat. I want to be sexy but in a Betty Grable 50s-pin-up rather than a raunchy centrefold kind of way. I wouldn't allow myself to be exploited in that way by anyone. I've got very strong ideas about the way I want to look and act."--Amerie

Hey Y'all,
So for this week's Style File, I decided to take a look at the singular swagger of R&B crooner...

Amerie!
She's a master at cherry picking sexy yet sophisticated outfits.
For casual outings she shows off her physique in anything from short shorts accented by heels...

...to skinny jeans and ruffled tops.

When she hits the town, she truly flaunts her $2 million legs in dresses characterized by saucy animal prints...

...demure yet cute gingham...

and modern silhouettes...

Fly.
Want her look? You can start by copping this $242 Alice & Olivia Deco Short Sleeve Knit Dress...

...currently available at shopbop.com
For everything else, try the following low priced substitutes:

Top Row: Ruffle Front Blouse, $20, www.anntaylorloft.com; Retro Gingham Plaid Peasant Dress, $58, www.shopplasticland.com.
Bottom Row: Pleated Short, $24, www.forever21.com; BCBG Exotic-Print Matte Jersey Halter Dress, $110, www.macys.com.
Smootches!
PS Since we're showing Amerie love, I thought it only fitting to include a few of her oldie but goodie hits.
First up, I absolutely love this song....

...it totally reminds me of summer in the city! And doesn't that park look like Fort Greene Park? Love it!
And an Amerie tribute would not be complete without this song...

I absolutely *loved* her first CD, from start to finish.
If you did too, enjoy!
PSS From Nymag: Tomorrow through Friday: Tibi and Hollywould clothing as well as Hollywould shoes are 75 percent off. 336 W. 37th St., nr. Ninth Ave., penthouse fifteen; 5/16 (1–8); 5/17–5/18 (10–7).