Mail Bombs: Tyra's Top, Chic Raincoats, Raven's Boots, Baby Shower Style

Cheries,
I'm piloting just for today as Mademoiselle Sulmers makes her debut in Paris. She sends virtual "Smootches!" along with a few Mail Bombs, below. Let's get to it!

Fashion Bomber Tonia asks, "I must cop this top Tyra is wearing. Can you tell me who makes it?"

Claire investigated and found that Tyra is actually wearing this modified Mara Hoffman dress from the designer's Fall 2008 line:

Next, reader India writes, "How can I find a dress like Kelis's???"

Claire recommends any one of these options:

1. Chaiken Mini Dress, $130 2. Tibi Shift Dress, $200 3. Taylor Eyelet Shift, $55
From Tolu we have: "I'm a college student looking for a rain coat (preferably hooded) that's cute and inexpensive. Any suggestions?"
Fall's a good time to get your rain gear on point. Here are a few ideas that hopefully fit your budget:

1. Andrew Marc Silver Hooded Rain Jacket, $135, 2. Aqua Cropped Waterproof Jacket (with hood), $42 3. Hilary Radley Belted Rain Coat, $90,
FB'er Tyi e-mails, "I would kill for the boots Raven is rocking! It's harder to find knee and thigh boots for thick chicks. Can you please help me out?!"

One of the go-to places online to find stylish specialty shoes is Zappos. Not only can you search by size, style, width, and color (all at once), but their inventory is endless and shipping is free (even if you decide to return your shoes). Check out these fabulous boot selections that accommodate fuller legs:

1. Bouquets Wide Calf Boots, $94 2. Stuart Weitzman Best Boots, $263 3. RSVP Elana Boot, $154
FB Mom-to-be Cleona writes, "My baby shower is in November and I have nothing to wear. I want a look that's cute and sexy that will still compliment my growing belly and figure. Any ideas?"
Congrats! As for baby shower outfits, I really like these pieces from Liz Lange Maternity for Target and Gap Maternity:

1. Gap Tie-Front Dress, $58 2. Liz Lange for Target Ribbed Empire Dress, $30 3. Liz Lange for Target 3/4 Sleeve Wrap Dress, $30 4. Gap Ruffle-Neck Dress, $78
Finally, Nicole asks, "I want to inquire about the sunglasses that Will Smith wore to the Secret Life of Bees premiere. I've looked everywhere and can't find out who makes them."

We couldn't find the designer, either, but here are some shades similar to the ones Will sported:

1. Yves Saint Laurent 2218S Sunglasses, $205 2.D&G 6016 Sunglasses, $139
That's a wrap for Mail Bombs!
bon weekend,
Adriana

Mail Bombs + Fashion Trivia

It's the end of a great week!
Let's solve some Mail Bombs!
Lisa fell in love with Nicole Richie's dress here...
She says, "Where can I get it?"
We searched and found that she's wearing a variation upon this $425 Diane Von Furstenberg Novesa Dress...
...from shopbop.com
Next, Jonilee from Brooklyn NY says, "I was wondering if you can tell me where can I purchase this shirt that Ashanti is sporting...."
"...I love the character and I'm late for everything; might as well warn people first!"
Y'all are hilarious! Lucky for you, stellar intern Adriana searched and found the yellow version of the shirt...
...for $26 at www.80stees.com.
Next Lola asks, "I love the dress Rihanna is wearing on the cover of Elle Magazine and I HAVE HAVE HAVE to have it!!!"
"...I know its Donna Karan and out of my price range. Where can I find a similar dress??"
Try these low priced lovelies for a similar look:
1. Red Summer Dress by Paradyz, $215, www.edressme.com. 2. Tart Jersey Sharon V-Neck Dress, $73, www.bluefly.com3. Aqua Women's Sleeveless Racerback Dress, $78, www.bloomingdales.com.
In a men's Mail Bomb, Cake from Savannah says, "I wanna know what kind of sunglasses Usher was wearing in the Love in this Club video...."
Try these for an Usher steeze:
1. Italia Independent Sunglasses, $395, www.barneys.com. 2. John Varvatos Navigator Sunglasses, $325, www.neimanmarcus.com. 3. Plastic Aviator Frames, $70, www.kennethcole.com.
Now for a few wardrobe solutions.
Shanae says, "Ok so I've been looking all over for a pair of the high waisted jeans but I havent found a cute pair yet, PLEASE HELP!"
"...Also what could I wear with it, like as far as shirts?!"
With high waisted jeans, I think it's best to wear them with a plain shirt--whether it's a white t-shirt, button down or tie-neck blouse...
...for more examples of how to wear high waisted pants, check out my post about it here. If you want to add a few pairs to your wardrobe, try these:
1. Whiskered High Waist Jeans, $29.80, www.forever21.com. 2. Seven for all Mankind High Waisted Bootcut Jeans, $172, www.shopbop.com. 3. Jenny Jen Gold Stitch Jeans, $129, www.blaec.com. 4. Seven for all Mankind Sophie High Waisted Skinny Jeans, $119, www.eluxury.com.
Lastly, Aija asks, "Quick question for you - once in a while someone pulls together a sort of shopping how-to guide that tells you the best time to purchase designer bags, coats, jewelry, etc. Have you seen anything like this, or do you have any pointers on the best time to make some of these major purchases?"
I actually wrote an article about this a long time ago for an online magazine called Beauty Addict. Yes, I wrote for other sites before starting The Fashion Bomb!
According to me, "Summer apparel, like flirty dresses, swimsuits, and colorful skirts, start lining the shelves in March when it’s still a bit chilly. Though it’s tempting to buy everything you see the moment it arrives in stores, June and July are the sales months for summer clothes, with July being the clearance month...So if you can make it through May showing off your newly svelte bod in last year’s digs, you can stock up on almost all the polo shirts, flip-flops, and Capris your heart desires later on." What great advice!
Read the rest here. It's fun to reminisce!

Now for a little Fashion Trivia, just for fun.

If anyone can tell me the significance of this cover....
...along with the name of the model, month and year, you'll win a Fashion Bomb T-Shirt! E-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com with your response.
*Update: You guys are super duper fast! Denise from Illinois responded within a half an hour saying, "The cover is from March 1966. It featured Donyale Luna, the first cover model of ethnic origin for Vogue." You are correct! Look out for your T!
For the rest of you, enter the code 'friendsandfamily' for $10 off your Fashion Bomb Shop Purchase. Offer expires 5/16!
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*These guys were on the front page of yesterday's NY Times Style Section:
Click here to find out why. [NYTimes]
*Donyale Luna actually had a very, very sad story.
Reader Janay sent me this website (which also has great pictures of Donyale). According to the site, "Her unprofessional behavior signaled the end of Luna’s career. Beverly Johnson recalled that Luna “[didn’t] wear shoes winter or summer. Ask her where she’s from — Mars? She went up and down the runways on her hands and knees. She didn’t show up for bookings. She didn’t have a hard time, she made it hard for herself.” In 1979, Luna died of a drug overdose in Rome." Read the rest here.
*If you want to read Time Magazine's piece on her, titled, "Luna Year," you can do so here.
*If you don't read the New Yorker...start! It is simply the best magazine ever. Check this article in this week's issue on Pascal Dangin, the premier retoucher of photographs for basically every fashion magazine under the sun. Just to give you an idea of how dope he is, "In the March issue of Vogue Dangin tweaked a hundred and forty-four images: a hundred and seven advertisements (Estée Lauder, Gucci, Dior, etc.), thirty-six fashion pictures, and the cover, featuring Drew Barrymore." It's pretty cool.

Mail Bombs!

Hey!
So I'm home in Atlanta, typing away. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining--life is good! I've gotta run enjoy the day, but first I figured I'd solve a few mail bombs...
...just a few.
Reader Elkie wrote in a while ago loving the earrings Kelis wore for the Grammy awards...
She says, " I covet them and MUST HAVE THEM!!! Can you PLEASE help identify where I can purchase these FABULOUS earrings? This is a fashion CODE RED!"
Thankfully London intern Natalie stepped in! She says, "Design-wise, a very close match I found on asos.com were these Cut out Detail Circle Drop Earrings..."
"...They're cheap as chips for $13.21, and I trust you'll rock 'em right..." Cheap as chips! I love that!
Pamela wrote in about Janet Jackson's cute sunglasses...
She says, "Where can I find those sunglasses or somthing similar?"
Square, oversized frames like Janet's can be found at any price point:
Left to Right: Script Logo Sunglasses, $39.50, www.gbyguess.com; Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Square Sunglasses, $115, http://www.nordstrom.com/; Oliver People's Bacall Sunglasses, $285, www.net-a-porter.com.
Next Errin from Atlanta says, "So I'm trying to make the most of my long-legged life by getting a jump on my summer jumpsuit game. I just KNOW that if anyone can help me out on this, it's The Fashion Bomb. Here's my inspiration, from Preen's S/S 08 line..."
"...Suggestions? I've only got two months 'til the first day of summer!"
I did a search and found this Twill Linen Puff Sleeved Jumpsuit from bebe.com...
...for only $119, you can flaunt those long legs all summer long!

Reader Posh was also feeling the jumpsuit look, and wanted to know how to get Mena Suvari's strapless suit:
She says, "Do you know who this is by? Or can you find something similiar??"
You can give off a similar essence with these; throw on a belt to complete the look:
Left to Right: Andrea S. Meadow jumpsuit, $303, http://www.revolveclothing.com/; Sea Pleated Front Strapless Jumpsuit, $393, http://www.revolveclothing.com/.
Now for a wardrobe query.
Mona wrote in looking for two very specific items. She says, "I've been looking for a Maxi Dress and Light Denim Skinny Jeans in a size 12 for the past month and come up with nothing! Can you help?"
Sure. For your Maxi Dress, here are a few options:
Left to Right: Crochet Trim Maxi Dress, $109, http://www.victoriassecret.com/; Diane von Furstenberg Washed Silk Strapless Dress, $398, http://www.bloomingdales.com/; Kate Moss Sleeveless Cowl Front Dress, $77, http://www.asos.com/.
And jeans, you're covered as well:
Left to Right: BDG 5 Pocket Stretch Skinny Jean, $49, http://www.urbn.com/; Paige Denim Roxbury Jean, $169, shopbop.com
BDG Cigarette Skinny Jean, $54, http://www.urbn.com/.
That does it! I'm off to get some Chick-Fil-A!
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*Happy Birthday DD!
You da bomb.
*Uh-Oh...

...70% off at www.dvf.com.

Get Your Stunna Shades On

"Gucci shades up on my braids when I Escalade/When I'm riding Sprewells sliding like a escapade/I got it made the big boss of the north/Ain't ish changed I still represent Swisha House." Mike Jones, "Still Tippin."

When it's bright and sunny outside, there's no better way to accessorize your summer wardobe than with a pair of cute, face flattering stunna shades...

The right sunglasses, chosen carefully, can instantly upgrade and 'chic'-ify your look.
Before you run to the store, know that there's actually a method to picking the perfect pair. Let's take a look at a few of our fave celebs to see how it's done:
Ms. Kelly...

...J.Lo...

..and Rihanna...

...all don sunglasses with rounded frames to balance and complement their angular jawlines. Doing so adds a bit of softness to their more straight edged facial features.
On the other hand, women with rounder faces like Eve...

...and Mariah...

...look more balanced with the opposite: angular more boxy shade shapes that lend a little edge to their softer features.
Unsure of your face shape?
Classic aviator sunglasses look good on almost everyone. Ciara...

...and Zoe Saldana...

Know what's up.
And if you're feeeling playful, don't be afraid to experiment with color. Get creative with a pair of orange shades like Nicole Richie...

Or mix it up more with a retro pair of white sun-specs a la Kelis...

Cute.
Need a few ideas? Try the following:

Top Row: Ray Ban Original Aviator Sunglasses, $119, http://www.eluxury.com/; Royal Flush Sunglasses, $38, http://www.anthropologie.com/.
Bottom Row: Kenneth Cole Rev-eye-vul Sunglasses, $98, http://www.kennethcole.com/; Dior Glossy Large Sunglasses, $260, www.eluxury.com.
I threw in a pair of Dior specs for you divalicious babes out there. Now get those stunna shades on!
Smootches!
PS Intern Elita says, "According to Fashionista.com there is a Rachel Roy sample sale going on today and tomorrow from 12-7 at 25 W. 39th St, 14th floor."

So Elita was right! Rachel Roy is having a sample sale, and I dropped in briefly while running errands. The prices were a little higher than expected...shirts from $50-$100 and dresses starting at $150. Also, forget about sizes. I couldn’t find a button down bigger than a size 8, or a dress bigger than a medium. But I did manage to leave with one Grecian gathered cotton top (perfect with some skinny jeans) and a work ready white ruffle trimmed sleeveless sweater for $150. Bonus: Totally saw Damon Dash! Don’t you hate when you see a celebrity...and you’re all cheesing...and you expect them to know who you are cuz you know who they are...but you just end up looking lame (meanwhile, they’re like who’s this crazy person staring at me?) ANYWAY, celeb sightings aside, it was worth it. Rachel's clothes are so pretty, even a simple top will upgrade your wardrobe. Hit up her sale. It’s going on until tomorrow!