Best of 2007: Style Evolution

Hey!
So another weekly ritual I enjoy: Style Files.
For the most part, I keep it positive, exalting the unparalleled chic of fashionistas like Tracee Ellis Ross....
Tyra Banks...
..and even Hip Hop Girlfriends...
But sometimes, I have to do a Style Intervention for those women who just can't seem to get it right. I did one in May of this year for tennis pro Serena Williams. Let's recap:
**************************************************************************
...Serena is gorgeous, talented, and has a body I would *kill* for...and as I wrote here, her match style is fly. But while she dominates the court in bold colors and body skimming dresses...

...her red carpet choices are a bit...suspect. Let's take a look:

This dress, in a word, is gorgeous, but unfortunately the cut makes her look a little, well...masculine. While sleeveless styles should work for her, the armholes shine a spotlight on her toned, muscular arms...

This shift dress is dull, and unflattering....

...and the cut on the top of this dress makes her look more 'ironman' than superwoman. She's worked too hard for her body to cover it up, but there are styles she can adopt to look a tad more feminine.
**************************************************************************
Not the harshest criticisms, but I knew that Serena could definitely do better.

Now....I don't know if Serena reads The Fashion Bomb or what, but ever since maybe late July, Serena has been in deliciously chic frocks that work for her body while also playing up her femininity.

She sports the occasional strapless, along with a sleek black cut and strappy shoes...
Looks party perfect in deep plum halter necks that taper in at the knees....
And though she still loves to showcase her arms, she's amped up the girly factor in dresses that are just short enough with hems that pouf out a bit around mid thigh...

Two snaps for style!

Now if only she could help her sister....

Just kidding. But not really.
Anyway, congrats to Serena for the Biggest Style Evolution of 2007!
She's the bomb, y'all.
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*I must also recognize Ms. Alicia Keys, who was a 'Style Evolution' subject of a post dated June 12, 2007.

Her look has changed a bunch over the years....

... But her transformation was definitely more gradual; Serena really turned herself around in a matter of 6 months!

At any rate, kudos to both ladies, and mad props to their fabulous stylists:)

*I'm heading home tomorrow before heading to the motherland this Saturday!!! I am sooooo excited! Can't wait for some Sweet Tea and Chicken Biscuits!
*Visit Modcloth’s blog at blog.modcloth.com, and tell them what Modcloth.com items are on your wishlist! Your comment will enter you into a competition to win a $100 gift certificate! What are you waiting for?
*Even with Cavalli, H&M sales sluggish.
*The Met's new exhibit "blog.mode" is now open.
*Deal of the Day:
Dolce Vita York Lace up Pump.
Get 'em for $41.40 at shopbop.com

Friday Mail Bombs

Happy Rainy Friday!
I was out last week, so now it's finally time for some Mail Bombs...

...here we go yo.
Reader Renee says, “I am really loving Serena's style these days...."

“…Do you know where I can find her dress or a similar one that is budget friendly?”
Hey hey Renee. I found two dresses that could get you Serena's wrapped look for less. You can try this $154 Star Wrap Dress with Puff Sleeves from CoutureCandy

Or this Sash-Tie Shirtdress...

…for only $58 at www.spiegel.com.
Next reader Rosalind wanted to know how to get Beyonce's look in this picture...

And I found that Beyonce's belt was ripped off the runway of the DSquared Spring 2007 show...

You can get the actual belt...

...for $195. Visit www.dsquared.com for store locations.
The jumper was hard to find, but I felt this $250 jumper from Les Prairies de Paris…

...came close.
Update: Reader Tiffany conjectures that the whole outfit is DSquared…

She says, “If you scroll through the collection on the DSquared website a model has on a greenish version of the jumper with the belt.” So perhaps Bey is rocking all DSquared…
Anyway to complete the look, throw on a pair of red peep toed strappy stiletto sandals like these $60 RSVP Ivy shoes from zappos.com

...and you've got the look!
Next up readers Aisha and Meghan fell in love with chic yellow dress Vanessa Simmons wore recently...

Aisha says, "Vanessa's dress really stands out. It's simple but oh so cute!! I must find out where I can get it or something similar to it at an affordable price!!!"
Well ladies, I couldn't find the exact dress anywhere, but felt that this Pleated Jewel Neck Dress by Susana Monaco...

...came pretty close. Get it for $141 at shopbop.com
Next Fashion Bomb fanatic Margaret says, "I must have this dress!"

"Can you find me something like it?"
You can come close with this $160 Striped 3/4 Sleeve Tie Waist Dress by Vince…

…available at shopbop.com
Next reader Tameka asks, "Do you know how to get Tracee Ross's look?"

The closest dress I could find online that mimicked Tracee's exotic look was this Temperley London Zebra Knit Dress on sale for $555...

...at www.net-a-porter.com.
Lastly Diva Diamond contacted me via myspace.com with the following request, "I am definitely what you would call fashion/style challenged. Like many women, I have weight issues (I am a 10 sometimes 12 - I know I shouldn't complain but I have gained 20 lbs in the last year since I started taking night classes...). My old "fashionable" items don't fit anymore. On top of that, my old style doesn't fit my body I have always been very bottom heavy, small waist (in proportion to the rest of me), and recently my chest has caught up with my bottom half. You could say I am a "classic coca-cola" shape. I am just wondering if maybe you can add styles and pieces that would complement an hour glass figure."
Hey Diamond!You’re actually really lucky to have such a great shape! Any woman would kill for an hourglass bod! Anyway, I think you should do everything to accentuate your waist since it’s proportionately smaller than your top and bottom half. This means tons of cute wrap dresses, belted tunics over jeans or tights, and wrap tops. If you really want to be a fashionista, throw in a high-waisted skirt. Try the following:

Top Row: Flame Print Faux Wrap Knit Dress, $69, www.anntaylorloft.com; Sunner Sophia Belted Tunic, $218, www.pinkmascara.com.
Bottom Row: Wrap Dress, $119, www.victoriassecret.com; High Waist Pencil Skirt, $74, www.ninewest.com.
Good Luck!
I hope it doesn't rain all weekend:(
Smootches!

Memorial Day Mail Bombs

Happy, Happy Friday!
I'm sooo excited about Memorial Day! I'm not going anywhere fancy, but the vacay is much needed. Before I ship off, a few mail bombs.

This time around a got a little bit of help from my new *fabulous* interns: Suzie, Elita, and Rachel! You'll meet them in a few weeks. For now, let's get to it:
Reader Madia asks:
Do you have any idea where I can find this dress?

Reader LongLeggedLife wrote in, and suggested that Beyonce’s Dress was this $50 frock from H&M.

The blog Nitrolicious wrote about it here.
I initially thought Bey might’ve been wearing the brown version of this $800 Melissa Odabach Elizabeth Lace Kaftan...

...but I’m not sure.
What do you think?
Does Beyonce shop high or low?
Next up reader Monica H appreciated my Style File Intervention on Serena Williams, and asked:
Do you know who made this dress?

She continues, "I love it. I'm so glad that somebody has stepped in and helped Ms. Williams with her fashion choices."
Thanks Monica!
Well although Serena's guns made her look a bit masculine in that particular frock, I'm sure this $475.00 Catherine Malandrino Printed Silk Halter dress ...

...will look smashing on you!
Lastly, readers have been clamouring to know what Mommy Solange...

...is wearing in this picture.
Reader NicJac said:
"Check out the hotness that is Solange's black/white dress! Can you tell me where I can find it or a cheaper version?"
Takisha also exclaimed:
"I seriously need to know where I can get the dress that Solange has on in this picture of her and Beyonce shopping in Milan. I really need your help with this one. I LOVE IT!!!"
See? This one was a toughie, so I solicited the help of the Fashion Bomb 'terns.
TFB 'tern Elita didn't find an exact match, but said that this $1,240 Cotton-silk-elastane dress by Piazza Sempione..

..was a close match.
I personally couldn't figure out if Solange was wearing a dress or a skirt/shirt combo. At any rate, I found a few items that can get you a similar look for less:
Pair this $58 Button Front Bib Top from Arden B...

With this $89 Signature Jones New York Floral Skirt...

And accent with this $49.99 Kenneth Cole It's Patent-ed Belt.

And you're good to go.
Have great weekends!
Smootches!
PS The other night my buddy previewed Sarah Jessica Parker's...

...new low priced line, Bitten. Apparently everything in the collection is under $20 and will be sold at Steve & Barry stores.
A few of the pieces:


Looks pretty cute. The line hits stores next week! Visit Steve & Barry's site, www.steveandbarrys.com, for a location near you.