29 June 2005

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

Eagle Stripe Pique Polo
Eagle Stripe Pique Polo | $19.95 at American Eagle

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

Oakley “Gasket” Sandal
Oakley “Gasket” Sandal | $39.95 at Nordstrom

28 June 2005

BBQ: Casual Layers

For a BBQ-perfect look:
Fashion Formula = Sweater + Tank + Cropped Pants + Sandals.

Bed Head Sweater
Bed Head Sweater | $128 at Anthropologie

Celeste Tank
Celeste Tank | $68 at Anthropologie

Heidi Scrub Crop
Heidi Scrub Crop | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Capri Sandals
Capri Sandals | $39.50 at JCrew

27 June 2005

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!

24 June 2005

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
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
Mayfield L/S Carnaby Fit Shirt | $79 at Ben Sherman
A fun striped shirt with pocket detailing to make it extra special.

23 June 2005

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
Flocked Bar Tee | $28 at Banana Republic

Deer Brook Polo
Deer Brook Polo | $39.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Striped Grosgrain Belt
Striped Grosgrain Belt | $55 at Ralph Lauren

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

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

22 June 2005

Dinner and a Movie | Men's Edition: Sophisticated

For a sophisticated look:
Fashion Formula = Blazer + Sport Shirt + Tee + Jeans + Loafers.

“Venting” Blazer
“Venting” Blazer | $179 at Kenneth Cole

Twin Brook Striped Shirt
Twin Brook Striped Shirt | $69.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

No-Tag Basic Crew
No-Tag Basic Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

“Low Standards” Jeans
“Low Standards” Jeans | $59.98 at Kenneth Cole

Alexander Leather Loafers
Alexander Leather Loafers | $140 at JCrew

21 June 2005

Dinner and a Movie | Men's Edition: Smart

For a smart look:
Fashion Formula = Sweater + Tie + Sport Shirt + Khakis + Oxfords.

Pima Crewneck Sweater
Pima Crewneck Sweater | $29.99 at JCrew

Sudbury Stripes Tie
Sudbury Stripes Tie | $49.99 at Ralph Lauren

Preppy Stripe Shirt
Preppy Stripe Shirt | $65 at JCrew

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

Urban Oxford
Urban Oxford | $99 at Banana Republic

20 June 2005

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
Avant Zip Up Track Jacket | $89 at Ben Sherman

White Agoo Wings Shirt
White Agoo Wings Shirt | $34 at Little Idiot Collective

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

Chino Sneaker
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.

17 June 2005

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
Bed-Head Sweater | $128 at Anthropologie

Vecu Babydoll Tank
Vecu Babydoll Tank | $64 at Anthropologie

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

Pretty Little Ballet Slippers
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.

16 June 2005

Dinner and a Movie: Sophisticated

For a sophisticated look:
Fashion Formula = Cropped Blazer + Halter Top + Jeans + Heels.

Stretch Denim Blazer
Stretch Denim Blazer | $98 at Armani Exchange

Lux Smocked Bottom Halter
Lux Smocked Bottom Halter | $38 at Urban Outfitters

Stretch Boot Cut Jeans
Stretch Boot Cut Jeans | $39.99 at Gap

Strappy Toe-Ring Sandal
Strappy Toe-Ring Sandal | $58 at Banana Republic

15 June 2005

Dinner and a Movie: Flirty and Feminine

For a flirty, feminine look:
Fashion Formula = Cropped Sweater + Dress + Heels.

Savannah Cropped Cardigan
Savannah Cropped Cardigan | $58 at Anthropologie

Isca Organdy Dress
Isca Organdy Dress | $168 at Anthropologie

“Round One” Leather Slingback
“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.

14 June 2005

Dinner and a Movie: Casually Gorgeous

For a casually gorgeous look:
Fashion Formula = Cropped Jean Jacket + Camisole + Jean Skirt + Sandals.

Marie Denim Jacket
Marie Denim Jacket | $79.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Tatum Camisole
Tatum Camisole | $39.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Pleatback Pencil Skirt
Pleatback Pencil Skirt | $44.99 at Guess

Midas Thong
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.

13 June 2005

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.

12 June 2005

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
Fitted Cotton Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

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

11 June 2005

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
Fitted Cotton Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

Baxter Mountain Striped Polo
Baxter Mountain Striped Polo | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

10 June 2005

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

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

Striped Flip Flops
Striped Flip Flops | $22.50 at JCrew