Introducing Susannah Chen!

Ever since she was old enough to dress herself, Susannah Chen has been obsessed with fashion.

As Style Intelligence Report's newest writer, Susannah has been able to combine her love of style with her background in journalism. A graduate of Northwestern's prestigious Medill School of Journalism, Susannah has written commentary for Business Week and worked at Top 5 PR agency Edelman.

Her personal style, best described as feminine, with a preppy flair, is often inspired by the many places she has called home -- Texas, New York, Chicago and now San Francisco.

While she's not uncovering the latest styles for Style Intelligence Report, you can find her touring wine country and spending time with her friends and family.

Check back tomorrow to read about Susannah's love of nautical style!

BBQ | Men's Edition: Casual Layers

For a BBQ-perfect look:

Fashion Formula = Jacket + Layered Polos + Shorts + Sandals.

Fred Perry Multi Stripe Track Jacket | $90 at Urban Outfitters

Eagle Stripe Pique Polo | $19.95 at American Eagle

Spring Officer's Plain Front Short | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Oakley “Gasket” Sandal | $39.95 at Nordstrom

BBQ: Casual Layers

For a BBQ-perfect look:

Fashion Formula = Sweater + Tank + Cropped Pants + Sandals.

Bed Head Sweater | $128 at Anthropologie

Celeste Tank | $68 at Anthropologie

Heidi Scrub Crop | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Capri Sandals | $39.50 at JCrew

4th of July = BBQ Time!

It’s primetime for BBQ season. And between the fresh smell of a fiery charcoal pit and the summer goodness of ice cream and pie, I can hardly wait till the long weekend for the roasted corn. Yay for summer!

Let’s make a deal. If you cook the food, I’ll give you some fashion suggestions that will take you through the BBQ with grace and ease. You’ll want an outfit that is casually stylish for the event. You’ll also want an outfit with layers to take you through the day—it’ll be hot standing next to the grill, but the day will get cooler by the end.

Happy grilling!

Introducing the Friday Fashion Hotlist!

Introducing the Friday Fashion Hotlist, a compilation of some of the cutest and coolest stuff we saw out in the Wide World of Style this week. For our inaugural edition, we're going pocket-happy!

For women...

Solid Board Shorts | $34 at JCrew
Love the color combination, love the drawstring, love the pocket.

And for men...

Mayfield L/S Carnaby Fit Shirt | $79 at Ben Sherman

A fun striped shirt with pocket detailing to make it extra special.

Dinner and a Movie | Men's Edition: Young at Heart

For a look that's young at heart:

Fashion Formula = Tee layered over Polo + Novelty Belt + Jeans + Oxfords.

Flocked Bar Tee | $28 at Banana Republic

Deer Brook Polo | $39.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Striped Grosgrain Belt | $55 at Ralph Lauren

Dark Blast Flap-Pocket Utility Jean | $98 at Banana Republic

“Pull it Off” Leather Oxfords | $99.98 at Kenneth Cole

Dinner and a Movie | Men's Edition: Sophisticated

For a sophisticated look:

Fashion Formula = Blazer + Sport Shirt + Tee + Jeans + Loafers.

“Venting” Blazer | $179 at Kenneth Cole

Twin Brook Striped Shirt | $69.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

No-Tag Basic Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

“Low Standards” Jeans | $59.98 at Kenneth Cole

Alexander Leather Loafers | $140 at JCrew

Dinner and a Movie | Men's Edition: Smart

For a smart look:

Fashion Formula = Sweater + Tie + Sport Shirt + Khakis + Oxfords.

Pima Crewneck Sweater | $29.99 at JCrew

Sudbury Stripes Tie | $49.99 at Ralph Lauren

Preppy Stripe Shirt | $65 at JCrew

“Bow and Aero” Khakis | $79 at Kenneth Cole

Urban Oxford | $99 at Banana Republic

Dinner and a Movie | Men's Edition: Casual Chic

For a look that's casually chic:

Fashion Formula = Track Jacket + Graphic Tee + Jeans + Sneakers.

Avant Zip Up Track Jacket | $89 at Ben Sherman

White Agoo Wings Shirt | $34 at Little Idiot Collective

Dark Blast Flap-Pocket Utility Jean | $98 at Banana Republic

Chino Sneaker | $39.50 at JCrew

Two words of caution:

1. Beware of the logoed graphic tee, lest you become a walking billboard.
   
2. The "Sneaker" in this formula is not the same one you'd wear to the gym. There are athletic sneakers for exercising, and then there are sneakers for everyday wear. Let's do us all a favor and uphold the distinction.
   

Caution aside, this is a perfect look for the guy who wants to look nice--without looking like he's trying too hard.

Dinner and a Movie: Young at Heart

For a look that's young at heart:

Fashion Formula = Sweater + Babydoll Tank + Cuffed Jeans + Flat Shoes.

Bed-Head Sweater | $128 at Anthropologie

Vecu Babydoll Tank | $64 at Anthropologie

Cropped Cuffed Low-Rise Jean | $74 at Banana Republic

Pretty Little Ballet Slippers | $18 at Urban Outfitters

A word of caution for petite women: Cuffed pants make the legs appear shorter than they are. If you’re short, as I am, switch out the flats for a pair of medium-high heels. Resist the temptation to try sky-high heels—they’ll only call attention to your height, or lack thereof! That, and you’ll hurt your feet.

Dinner and a Movie: Sophisticated

For a sophisticated look:

Fashion Formula = Cropped Blazer + Halter Top + Jeans + Heels.

Stretch Denim Blazer | $98 at Armani Exchange

Lux Smocked Bottom Halter | $38 at Urban Outfitters

Stretch Boot Cut Jeans | $39.99 at Gap

Strappy Toe-Ring Sandal | $58 at Banana Republic

Dinner and a Movie: Flirty and Feminine

For a flirty, feminine look:

Fashion Formula = Cropped Sweater + Dress + Heels.

Savannah Cropped Cardigan | $58 at Anthropologie

Isca Organdy Dress | $168 at Anthropologie

“Round One” Leather Slingback | $99.98 at Kenneth Cole

The outfit pictured above is especially friendly to women who could use some added visual leg length: the empire-waist silhouette combined with the cropped sweater makes the torso appear shorter and the legs longer. The end result? You appear to be taller!

How does this work? How tall you look is determined by how long your legs appear to be. When you visually lengthen your legs, you automatically look like you grew a few inches. A bit of fashion magic, from me to you.

For those tall women out there looking to minimize their height, switch out the heels for flats, and try a dropped waist dress that will make your torso appear longer and your legs shorter.

Dinner and a Movie: Casually Gorgeous

For a casually gorgeous look:

Fashion Formula = Cropped Jean Jacket + Camisole + Jean Skirt + Sandals.

Marie Denim Jacket | $79.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Tatum Camisole | $39.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Pleatback Pencil Skirt | $44.99 at Guess

Midas thong | $38 at Anthropologie

Caution: Wearing two denim pieces can be dangerous--after all, you don't want to look like you're wearing a denim suit! Try picking two pieces with different washes, and to heighten the contrast between the two, keep them visually separated. Here, we're achieving that separation via the long camisole, which will be visible between the cropped jacket and the skirt.

Out on the town: Dinner and a Movie

There’s nothing quite like a first date. The excitement, the uncertainty….the anticipation.

So in honor of first-daters everywhere, Style Intelligence Report is taking you out on The Classic first date: Dinner and a Movie.

What to wear? We’ll take care of that. Check back for women’s outfits this week and a few ideas for men next week.

Now it’s up to you to pick the restaurant and the movie.

Adapt This Look | Men’s Edition: Après-Swim Dressy

For a dressier cover-up après-beach:

Add to the "Sun and Surf" Fashion Formula: T-Shirt + Long Sleeved Button-Up Shirt.

Fitted Cotton Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

Ezra Fitch Striped Shirt | $78 at Abercrombie and Fitch
Roll up the sleeves, as pictured, for a more relaxed look.

Adapt This Look | Men’s Edition: Après-Swim Casual

For a casual cover-up après-beach:

Add to the "Sun and Surf" Fashion Formula: T-Shirt and/or Polo Shirt.

Fitted Cotton Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

Baxter Mountain Striped Polo | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Adapt This Look | Men’s Edition: Sun and Surf

For a look appropriate for both sunbathing and taking in the waves:

Fashion Formula = Swim Shorts + Flip Flops.

Cargo-Pocket Board Short | $49.50 at Banana Republic
For a classic look, try these traditional swim shorts.

AE Pipeline Surf Short | $24.50 at American Eagle
For a trendier look, try a pair of shorts with more detailing.

Striped Flip Flops | $22.50 at JCrew