Athleisure Fashion Trend

Athleisure Wear For The Women On The Go

 

Cabi Athleisure www.traceystaehle.cabionline.com

Athleisure is one of those fashion trends that has lasted much longer than everyone expected.  In fact, based on what I see and read, I think it’s safe to say that it’s here to stay.  It makes perfect sense to me because we all want to be comfortable!   Women of of all ages are wearing this trend.  Whether it’s leggings with a longer coat and a scarf, or someone younger wearing a T-shirt, bomber jacket and sneakers.

As much as I love dressing up, the reality is that my average day when I’m not traveling for work, is working from home and running errands.  This is the type of outfit that I typically put on. (Ok truth be told, there are days when I’m working from home and I realize it’s noon and I’m still in my robe!) But normally I will take 10 minutes to apply minimal makeup (usually just some mascara and lip gloss) and then I throw on a cute baseball hat & I’m done.

If I could give you one tip it would be:

Invest in pieces that mix function and fashion.
You should select pieces made using performance fabrics so it’s not see-through, you can’t see cellulite through it, and you’re not going to get a muffin top.   There are lots of brands out there but my favorites to hide the cellulite and muffin top are Athleta and Cabi.    While some of their pieces are a bit pricier, they hide everything and wear well!   I’ve had the same 4 leggings from Athleta for well over a year and they are washed weekly and are still in great shape.

SOME OF MY ATHLEISURE PICKS

Shapewear

What to Consider when Shopping for Shapewear!

Industrial strength underwear otherwise known as shapewear is a Godsend! It can make you look 5-10 pounds thinner and gives you the confidence to wear a piece you might otherwise pass on.  However; there are so many choices and styles that what to buy can be very confusing.  Check out our video which highlights four different types of shapewear, which work best for different body types and what to consider before you buy!

How to Be Trendy but Comfy on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for mingling with family, catching up with old friends, and posing for pictures. Most of all, Thanksgiving is a time for eating — and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees with that. Since you’ll be getting your fill around lots of other people, we know you’ll want to make a statement — all while sneakily hiding your food baby.

Surprisingly, that’s an easy feat. All you need to do is follow the smart styling tips below…

A Flowy Cardigan and Stretchy Jeans

The loose cardigan is great for wrapping yourself up in after you’ve finished your dinner and don’t want anyone seeing the dreaded bloat. Pair it with a loose tank and some comfy jeans, and don’t forget to add your favorite accessories like a plaid scarf or a necklace!

flowy-cardigan

A Cozy Sweater Dress

If you’re looking to get dressed up for your Thanksgiving meal, but still want maximum comfort, the sweater dress is the perfect combination of the two of these. The soft loose fabric will feel like a lifesaver after you eat, so go ahead and have that second plate! I might pair the dress with some over-the-knee boots and leggings to create a trendy and stylish ensemble.

sweater-dresses

The Classic Comfort Look

Are you more of a leggings and sweater girl?  This clothing couple are a match made in heaven, especially for Thanksgiving. A thick knit sweater will keep you warm all night long, while leggings will nicely conform to your growing belly. For some extra pizzazz, opt for faux leather leggings and dress it up with your favorite pair of boots!

sweater-and-leggings

If You’re into Plaid

It seems like plaid is always the print of choice once the colder weather finally hits, maybe because it’s perfect for layering…after all who doesn’t love a good plaid flannel? Wear your flannel over a comfy t-shirt or layer it under a vest for a cute and comfy Thanksgiving outfit. Top it off with accessories of your choice and maybe some faux denim leggings to keep you comfy post-dinner! If your item of choice isn’t a flannel, you can still incorporate the plaid with a warm blanket sweater or a cozy scarf!

plaid

For Lounging Around After Dinner

Once all the desserts are gone and you’ve decided the couch is the perfect hibernation spot for the next few hours, you might want to slip into something super relaxed and cozy. Try some cute p.j. pants and a soft white tank to slowly slip away into your food coma.

pjs-1

Fashion Trends and Friends would like to wish all of our Fashionista Followers a wonderful Thanksgiving!  

We’re grateful for all of YOU and your SUPPORT!

 

Dolman Sleeve Tops

Dolman Sleeve Tops.  Are they for you?

The Dolman sleeve top has been causing quite a stir in the fashion world. Everyone wants to own one, me included!  Truth be told I own many.   They are so forgiving and a must have for fall/winter.

The top is more flattering and forgiving than you might expect.   Some styles are great way to conceal a muffin top. The sleeves are loose around the top of the arm and tamper near your wrist, so if you have a heavier upper arm, these tops camouflage that upper arm area. Surprisingly a dolman sleeve top can soften a strong shoulder line as well as strengthen a weaker one.  So the shape works for inverted triangle and pear-shaped body types.  But I think it can work for all body types just as long as you know how to style your top. Plus, it can be worn by women who are tall or petite.

I got to spend the morning with Perilee the owner of Diesel & Lulu’s a few weeks ago to discuss this trend.   As usual, I couldn’t come out of the store empty handed! You’ll see in our video specifically how great dolman tops look on petites.  PS…still working on my video skills!  LOL

Below are a few ways I’m wearing an ultra-suede top from Perilee’s shop.  Wear them casually with a skinny jean and sneakers.   Or pair with leggings and boots.

%e2%80%a2-ultrasuede-%e2%80%a2

 

Special thanks to Perilee and Linda for letting me video our conversation.   I had a blast!

Check back on Friday & Saturday as I continue my conversation with Perilee regarding winter cardigans, Faux-fur toppers, knit hats and mittens winter trends.

Note: All opinions are completely my own.  I was not asked by anyone to do a review, and did not receive any compensation for it.

Holiday Party Blouses

Starting to think about what to wear as the holiday party season approaches?  Sometimes all it takes is a great blouse to create a stunning outfit.  FTF went shopping for you and found these great holiday blouses for every body type.  They look amazing, are comfortable and camouflage problem areas!   You’re welcome!

bostonboston-1boston-2boston-3boston-4boston-9boston-7boston-10boston-6

http://www.bostonproper.com

http://www.chicos.com

http://ellos.us

http://www.talbots.com

How to Style a Graphic Tee Without Looking Like a Teenager

FTF styled a Rock and Roll sequined graphic tee from New York and Company.  We each chose to pair it with a jacket and colored pants.  The jacket adds structure and slims out a fluffy mid-section.  This tee is loose fitting and flows away from the mid-section helping to minimize our middle!
graphic-tee

Graphic tees can be found everywhere: Just about EVERY major clothing store sells them. They come cheap and they come crazy expensive, but how you look in them depends entirely on what you wear with them. FTF has nothing against a cute graphic tee with a casual pair of jeans or shorts, but if you want to step up the game a little, graphic tees can be worn as part of a more put-together, grown-up looking outfit. Think of it as looking like an adult but eating your fun cake too!

Here are four ways to style your graphic tee:

BLAZERS

1.  Use a blazer to dress up your outfit.

graphic-tee-with-blazer

SKIRTS

2.  Match a cute graphic tee with a skirt for a cool and casual yet sophisticated look. Depending on your skirt, you can go for day and/or night.

 

tee-with-skirt

COLORED DENIM

3.   Hot mama! Mix your graphic tee with colored denim and some booties for a night out.

graphic-tee-skeleton

LAYER UP

4.   Layer Up:  Channel the ’90s with a turtleneck and high-waist denim. FTF likes that high-waist denim helps to smooth out a fluffy mid-section.

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: Veronika Heilbrunner and Justin O'Shea seen outside Gucci during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2016/17 on February 24, 2016 in Milan, Italy (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Veronika Heilbrunner and Justin O’Shea seen outside Gucci during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2016/17 on February 24, 2016 in Milan, Italy (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

Wear Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness

I Wear Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness  

I wear pink this month in honor of my sister in-law, Kim Nassar Williams and all breast cancer survivors and those currently battling the disease.  So in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I would like to introduce to my sister in-law Kim Williams.

kim-williams

 

Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 45 years old.  There was no history in the family and she is probably one of the healthiest, highly active people I know!   She found the lump herself a week before her annual mammogram.  She felt a small lump (she says it felt like the top of an eraser) but didn’t think much of the lump.   Unfortunately, after the mammogram they determined she had stage 2 breast cancer.

Kim trooped through the radiation & chemo.   She lost all her hair by the second chemo treatment.  Kim can sew, so she made her own bandana’s to match her outfits.   A cancer fashionista!

Kim didn’t have many side effects from the treatment.   Kim would go for treatment on Wed, Thursday morning would get a shot to boost her white blood cell and then went to work! The treatment did knock the hell out of her energy.  By Friday, Kim couldn’t lift her head off her pillow (This is a woman who doesn’t sit still!)  When I asked on what she did to get her energy up so she could go to work, she told me that she would try to walk every other night to get her energy back.

Well I’m happy to tell you that Kim’s cancer is gone and she has been cancer free for 12 years now!

What I find so amazing is that when I was taking to Kim about her experience for this post she kept mentioning all the positive things that came from the experience.  This is so Kim and what I so admire about her.   The positives for Kim were…

  1. Her hair grew back a beautiful gray
  2. She realized how much people cared about her
  3. She was blessed to be surrounded by close friends and family

I asked Kim what she would tell others.   She said “life is a journey.  There will be tough times, but it’s all in how you handle it and how you feel inside.” A great message for all of us!

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

There is still time to shop to help women during breast cancer awareness month.  These items raise awareness and money for the disease

Fall Weather is a Great Time for Those with a Chubby Middle!

Jackets Hide a Million Sins!

I have an apple body type and whenever I gain a few extra pounds it lands squarely in my middle. Hiding that chub is my never ending battle but it gets much easier in the the fall and winter.

My solution it to combine tops with a flowy waist layered with a structured jacket.  The flowy waist top hides any muffin top and the jacket provides structure and defines your shape.  Choose hip-length or longer tunic tops. These pair best with single-breasted jackets.  If you leave them unbuttoned, they won’t pull across your stomach. Lastly, be sure to wear clothing that fits. Sizes that are too big add bulk, and sizes that are too small accentuate your stomach.

jackets

 

Cargo and Camo ~ You Can’t Go Wrong for Fall

cargo-and-camoOLIVE IS THE NEW BLACK…

From jeans to sweaters to jackets, olive is the fashion world’s favorite new hue and a must have staple for your fall wardrobe!

Fall Trend 2016 ~ Cargo and Camo

In Style Magazine, August 2016 featured this layout of cargo jackets and how to style them!  So many options.  Their advice includes the following:  olive and white work well together, dress it up with a pencil skirt, red add-ons amp up a utilitarian ensemble, wear it as a shirt and roll up the sleeves and go.  How do you like to style your Army/Cargo Jacket?

cargo

Pairing cargo and camo is one option.  This camouflage tee features a rhinestone skull.  As you know, I love me some bling!  A v neck tee is generally very slimming.  This particular tee is loose fitting and doesn’t cling to my body, which is far more figure flattering.  A black cross body bag and camouflage flats both with metal studs and black rhinestones complete this look!

cargo-camo-1

Striped tops paired with cargo jackets and cargo vests is another trendy look for fall!  Horizontal stripes do not add width, a fashion myth so don’t be afraid to give them a try!  Dare to be bold and mix and match patterns as Cindy did with her floral scarf, striped top and cargo jacket.  Cargo and camo can be styled casual and dressy.  Which do you prefer?

camo-4-ways

To say I’m obsessed with this fashion trend is an understatement! The stud details of the cargo jacket paired with the stud details on my olive sandals are a perfect match.  The plain black top paired with the cargo jacket give a slightly more dressed up look.

cargo-jacket

Camouflage pants, olive booties, black moto jacket, olive top…Love this combination!  The whole look is from New York and Company.  The pants are high waisted, which helps to hold in my mid-section.  The loose flowing, high low top cover all my mid-section flaws!  The booties are from DSW.  I truly feel like a fashion bad a$$ in this outfit!

camo-pant

Workwear in Olive:  Another example of mixing patterns:  stripes and color blocking – a fall trend.  Striped jacket and color blocked top from Carson’s.  Animal print top in olive (two fall trends in one top) from Charming Charlie’s.  Olive sandals from New York and Company.  Black pants from Old Navy.

workwear-in-olive

Don’t forget about accessories such as scarves to add a punch of olive color and camo…olive nails and toes are also an option!
olive-accessories

When all else fails…borrow a camo helmet like Lori!  But watch out for helmet head!  LOL

lori-helmet

Leaving your hairstylist

I’m Getting Divorced

hairdresser

After 15 years of marriage, I filed for divorce. Needed a change. Nothing more, nothing less.  No, I didn’t leave my husband, but my hairstylist.

I spent 15 years with my hairstylist.  Robert was one of the first people I met when I moved to Phoenix Arizona.   In some ways I feel we grew up together.  We both lost parents.  I got married. He left a long term relationship. He opened his own shop. I moved to Tucson AZ.

I actually really loved the guy, but getting to him has become so inconvenient (a 2-hour drive to Phoenix) and he has changed his work schedule to only 3 days a week and the hours are wonky.   So I decided that it was time for us to go our separate ways.

It took several months, but I found the courage and texted a friend of mine in Tucson.   “What’s the name of your hairdresser? I need a change.”    I felt terrible, felt like I was cheating! Why cheating? It sounds simple enough, right? You don’t like your hairstylist, so you switch salons. It’s only hair! But there was a loyalty built up with Robert over time that made switching more difficult than I thought it would be.   In fact, breaking up with your hairstylist is such a big deal Oprah actually did a whole show on the subject years ago.

So. I’m back on the dating scene. Looking to fall in love again. I’ve been dating a new stylist. She’s good and time will tell.   But I will tell you that she’s not my Robert!     Do I need to send Robert alimony???

Have you ever broken up with your hair stylist?   How did you feel?

7 Hairstyle Trends That Will Rule 2016

« Older posts
Newer posts »