Books & Magazines at Kuwait-Style.com

Fashion Advice from Nina Garcia

2 Comments Published December 9th, 2007

I am an avid fan of Project Runway and Nina Garcia, ELLE Fashion Director. I was excited when I found out that some of my favorite fashion blogs managed to send in their interview questions and have her answer them! Nina shares some great advice. Here are some of my favorite Q&As:

Advice for Your Closet

What is one item should every woman own?

Without sounding cliche, I think the one item that every woman should own is a little black dress. A little black dress looks great on a variety of body types, is polished, slimming and versatile. It is a blank canvas that can take you from day to evening simply by changing out the accessories. Also, the little black dress is understated, provocative, simple, mysterious and endlessly chic.
Can you recommend guidelines for mixing and matching your wardrobe?

When mixing and matching your wardrobe I tend to invest in classic pieces, like trench coat, handbag-Chanel 2.5, Hermes Birkin or Louis Vuitton Speedy, Little Black Dress and more decorative accessories. When it comes to trendier pieces, I go to places like Zara and H&M and also incorporate vintage finds like colorful dresses and bohemian-esque embellished belts. Shopping at different price points gives your wardrobe texture and personality. You do not need to be in head to toe designer to look great.

What are the rules for mixing prints? And colors? Can you mix different shades of white in an outfit — such as true-white pants with an ivory coat? Or do they all have to be the same shade of white? As I keep seeing folks mixing bright brown colors with black I have to ask, it is now acceptable to mix these colors?

The rules are there are no rules! Mixing prints can be an intimidating and potentially have disastrous results if not done in a subtle way. I recommend looking at the Dries Van Noten Spring ‘08 show where he paired various prints together with beautiful results. Mixing solid colors is less daunting and I think that mixing various shades of white is a very modern and chic silhouette. Brown and navy are classic colors that work well with black. Although I still find that women are hesitant to put the dark colors together, I think by combining navy or brown with black softens the look and makes it more modern.

Should your bag be in a seasonal color?

When it comes to handbags, I stay away from colors and opt for neutral tones that can go with any outfit, day or evening. Think black, camel, tobacco, even white leather bags. For evening is when I tend to be a little more experimental with my handbag. I always carry a clutch and love to have them in playful colors, exotic skin or embellished to add a little flair to your evening attire.

Advice on Trends

Your honest opinion about the skinny-jean trend.

I think that skinny jeans are a great style but do not necessarily work on everyone. Trends are a great way to be inspired but should never dictate one’s personal style. The key is to wear clothing that works for you and only you, once you abandon that philosophy then you end up in the category that no one wants to be: under fashion victim.

Advice on Packing for Travel

What pieces do you think are essential when traveling with very limited suitcase space for an extended period of time?

I think when traveling with limited space for an extended period of time you should keep to the basics-Trench coat or classic pea coat, button down shirt, cashmere cardigan, high heel and ballet flat, a pair of dark denim jeans and, of course, a little black dress. I would also include a couple of statement pieces-jewelry and other accessories-to personalize your look.

For more of Nina Garcia’s blog tour Q&A visit the sources below:

Also be sure to purchase her book, The Little Black Book of Style!

Book Review: Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison

0 Comments Published August 18th, 2007

Here is my first book review from Fashionable Reading for August.

Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison is a the type of book you would read on the airplane or lounging by the pool. It’s typical summer reading fare.

The story’s about a group of women who share three things in common. The first is that they don’t have close friends. The second is that they all have secrets. The third is that they are all addicted to shoes!

One of them had landed herself in debt because of her shoe addiction and she decides to create the Shoe Addicts Anonymous group. The story takes you from how they were living to the time they meet and how they manage to bond because of their weekly meetings. When their secrets come out they do what good friends should do and help each other overcome their problems. The book tied up all loose threads by the end.

Shoe Addicts Anonymous is a quick and fun book to read. I’d recommend it for people who love shoes and chick lit. While it may not be the most realistic book, it still manages to be enjoyable. It’s a feel-good book at heart.

I managed to relate to one of the characters in the book. Will you?

Fashionable Reading for August

4 Comments Published August 5th, 2007

You may remember that I started the Fashionable Reading corner where I added five books to the sidebar of Kuwait-Style.com. Over the course of the month I will try to read and review the books.

I’ve decided to take down the books on the sidebar. Instead I am going to write about the Fashionable Reading corner at the beginning of each month to update you on what’s on my reading list. I’m still going to include links to Amazon in case you decide you want to read the books at the same time I’m reading them.

July’s Fashionable Reading List included the following books. I have added a link to the reviews I’ve written so far for each book.