W.W.G.K.D.?

A few months ago, my husband and I were a part of a pink wedding. My husband was a groomsman and the bride asked that all the female guests wear their "favorite shade of pink." My first thoughts were, "WHAT? I'm 33! I don't wear pink dresses!" But then I thought since my husband was in the wedding, I couldn't just ignore the bride's request. So what to do... what to do??? My personal mantra when faced with a style challenge on this level is: W.W.G.K.D. or "What Would Grace Kelly Do?"

To me, Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock's movies is the epitome of style. She is always chic, sophisticated, feminine and put together. She not only always looks great but it's clear that whoever put together her wardrobe thought about it. While careless chic is great for the few women who have that going, I appreciate people who think about where they're going and look their best for that particular occasion and circumstance. So take a lesson from Grace Kelly in a few of my favorite Hitchcock films and be inspired to add a little Grace (and grace!) and elegance to your wardrobe.

Rear Window

A plunging neckline and a full skirt accentuates a feminine figure.

A little black dress and pearls are always a sophisticated choice.

And if you're not into pearls, go for a big statement jewelry piece like an oversived charm bracelet.

To Catch a Thief

Why not wear a great big hat? You're fabulous enough to pull it off!

White is not just for your wedding day.

A scarf tied demurely around your neck is charming!

Dial M for Murder

You can't have too many red dresses. Don't you want all eyes on you when you enter a room?

Stop carrying so much stuff around! Downsize into a small frame bag.

Most of the pictures I used for this post came from Grace Kelly Online. And it's a good thing I found that site since I would have never been aware of the Grace Kelly Tribute going on at Sotheby's. Here are the details:

Grace, Princess of Monaco: A Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Grace Kelly
An exhibition from October 15 - 26, 2007

Place: Sotheby's - 1334 York Avenue @ 72nd Street
Time: Daily from 10AM to 5PM & Sundays from 1PM to 5PM
Free and open to the public

So if I've piqued your interest about Grace Kelly with this post, be sure to check out the exhibition!

Style Lesson: Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston is not a woman who follows every trend. You probably won't see her any time soon in a tunic, leggings and ballet flats. This is exactly what I love about her. She has a look that is unique and she sticks to her own personal style aesthetic. Some people might say she has a uniform, but I say she has a signature style.

You can be casual but still chic. In her personal time, it's clear Jennifer loves to be comfortable and wear jeans. But comfort does not have to mean sloppy or not looking put together. Jennifer matches dark jeans with a wide leather belt, heels and a cozy sweater for a stylish yet casual look.

When Jennifer wants to add a little color and warmth to her casual wear, she'll often throw on an extra large scarf.

Want to dress up your shorts? Wear tailored ones with a button down shirt and heels.

Primary colors and neutrals are fool-proof for formal occasions. Jennifer has a set color palette and rarely deviates from it. For red carpet events, she will often wear neutrals, dark or primary colors. She hardly ever ventures into the arena of patterns or bright colors. Dark colors and neutrals are universally flattering. Of course we all know the way to hide a figure flaw is to wear a dark color. And what shows off suntanned, gorgeous skin better than a neutral colored dress? Jennifer knows what colors work for her.

Most importantly, since Jennifer sticks to simple, elegant styles, she is never competing for attention from her clothes. She wears her clothes; the clothes don't wear her. The next time you're debating whether to buy into the latest trend being foisted on us from the fashion world, remember that a classic style is consistent and doesn't need to change with every season. Or maybe just ask yourself, "What Would Jennifer Do?"

Style Lesson: Nia Long

According to IMDB, Nia Long is turning 37 this year and stands a petite 5' 2". Yet, when you see Nia in photos, she always looks tall and impossibly youthful. She has a style all her own and the confidence to pull off a variety of looks. Here are some tips you can take from Nia's best outfits and incorporate into your own style.

Wear neautral colors that compliment your skin tone. Nia's floor length, peach-colored gown looks beautiful against her brown skin. It can take some trial and error, but finding the colors that work with your complexion can mean the difference between looking bright and fresh versus pale and withered. Neutral colors like peach, brown and tan compliment a variety of skin tones.

Show those knees! Teensy Nia Long knows the way to make herself look taller is to show some leg. Wearing a knee-length or shorter skirt instantly lengthens petite legs.

When in doubt, wear a little black dress. An L.B.D. is always an appropriate choice. Black works for both formal and casual occasions and always looks sexy. An added bonus is Nia knows the silhouettes that flatter her figure and goes for deep v-necks and spaghetti straps that show off her neck and shoulders.

Don't be afraid to take risks. A formal shorts jumpsuit? You're kidding, right? Nia has the personality and style to make it look fabulous. Don't be afraid to wear clothes that show your personal style. Isn't it wonderful when an outfit looks great on you and few other people could pull it off?

While Nia's outfits are fresh and fun, she always looks age appropriate. Take a cue from Nia and wear clothes that flatter your height and skin tone and reflect your unique style!

Style Lesson: America Ferrera

America Ferrera is a beautiful actress who happens to have some curves and a little junk in the trunk. While America is considered "overweight" in the fashion world, her shape is closer to the typical woman's than any size 0 runway model. Her clothing choices accentuate her sexy curves and minimize any figure flaws. Here are some style lessons we can take from a few of America's recent looks.



GIVE YOURSELF A WAIST. It's often tempting for curvy women to wear billowy, tent-like tops because we think it hides a less than perfect stomach. In fact, this silhouette makes women look heavier since it gives the appearance of being a blob. Cinching in your waist makes you look curvy rather than heavy. If you feel a little insecure about your stomach, make shapewear your new best friend. I'd be willing to bet my favorite Marc Jacobs bag that America is wearing a good girdle under that dress.


WEAR DRESSES REALLY LONG OR KNEE LENGTH. Knee length dresses like the black one America wears above accentuate the calves which are usually a very shapely part of a woman's legs. Floor length dresses like the one America wore to the Golden Globes give a long silhouette that can make you appear taller and thinner. Hemlines that end below your knee to the middle of the calf will often make legs look heavier than they are.

SHOW A LITTLE CHEST. Exposing some chest is sexy and can also make your neck look longer. Crew necks and turtlenecks are not always the curvy girl's friend.


DON'T BE AFRAID OF COLOR. There's no reason for curvy girls to hide behind dark colors all the time because of the stereotype that darker colors are slimming. Accentuating a black dress with a bright yellow jacket conveys confidence and compliments America's olive skin.


SKINNY JEANS ARE YOUR FRIEND. When skinny jeans started making their way on my fashion radar last year, I thought to myself, "This is a look that only works for the Nicole Richie's of the world." It turned out I was wrong. In fact, a dark wash skinny jean can be much more figure enhancing than a pair of tried-and-true bootcuts. Bootcut jeans with too much flare at the knee can sometimes make a woman's hips look big. A moderately tapered dark jean will elongate the leg and even camoflauge full thighs.

And last but not least... MAKE SURE IT FITS. While we don't all have America Ferrera's tailoring budget, we can make sure we buy clothes in our size and have things properly altered. While it may make you feel good mentally to buy jeans in a size 4, if they give you a muffin top, you're not doing your figure any favors. Go up a size and you'll be surprised that you actually look slimmer. And if going from a size 6 to an 8 gives you agita, be like Mariah Carey and cut the size tags out of your clothes. It will be our secret.