I adore the direction fashion is going-choices. Long gone are the trends that only last a season. Our uncreative generation has decided to recycle styles from the past, giving them homage. This is great for any young person who can fit into their parents clothes. However, we are a fatter generation- we may have to buy our own clothes.

One of the styles that has experienced a resurgence is the “Safari” look. This is by no means new, and has never really gone away. The fashion industry has been experimenting with the public’s reaction to the look for years…leopard, cheetah, zebra flats, brown leather belts, longer handbags that you can throw your tourist binoculars in and wooden jewelry.

Before Elaine worked for the J.Peterman company and Eddie Bauer became a store that faded into oblivion, Banana Republic of the 1980’s was known as the Safari style go to store.

How does one go about the Safari Look? Think Salma Hayek means Jane Goodall cool, not like these women..

1) Start with colors- Chestnut browns, ivory, whites, black, and personally I’d add a splash of yellow

2) Great shades will do

3) Try these pocket books

4) Boots

REMEMBER TO NOT DO THESE ALL AT ONCE.

Do you remember the first time you saw an ad for H&M? It was touted as a cheap fashionable store without sacrificing the quality? This applied to everything from the lingerie to the coats.  However, H&M has become considerably more expensive over the years. While they are still a great go to place for cheap accessories, handbags, and layered clothes without sacrificing their appearance- it may not be the first place you stop to build a wardrobe.

Here are a few places I suggest you try-

Mango

http://www.mangoshop.com/preHome.faces

Kia Dress-$75

 Classic Trench- $72

Cocktail skirt- $49

Then there’s Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker- http://www.bittensjp.com/

Twill trench coat- desert sand- $9

Sleeveless ruffle shell- $9- There is a la rok shirt similar to this for $200-this is a better deal

Finally- Topshop

Top Shop button front dress- 28 pounds

Stripe Halter Neck Dress 35 pounds

Project Runway is apparently moving to Lifetime television.

This story has been listed all over the internet. http://www.dlisted.com/node/25098#comments

The budget for a lifetime movie’s wardrobe is the budget for one of Project Runway’s challenge. This is a very incongruent pairing. I refuse to accept it.

One day I was having drinks with the fabulous Artesia herself, fellow Saucy Report, and I saw Liya Kebede walked by. I almost went apeshit. Seeing her for me was the equivalent of seeing Santa Clause.  Model photos and images bombard us, especially if you were a child of the nineties.  You start to wonder if these people are really that beautiful.  She is prettier in person. She also exudes an aura of grace, as though everywhere she walks is her catwalk.

Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian model turned activist. She got her big break when she appeared on the cover of French Vogue.he has since appeared on the covers of Italian, Japanese, Korean & Spanish Vogue, Numero, V, French, Flair, i-D, South African Elle, Harper’s & Queen, Essence, and Time’s Style & Design issue. Liya was also recently featured on the September 2004 cover of American Vogue, where she was named one of the leading faces of “the Return of the Super Model”.

Liya can currently be seen for a second time on the May 2005 cover of American Vogue. In 2003, she became the first minority face of Estee Lauder.

She has also been a runway favorite for top design houses such as Givenchy. In 2007, Forbes ranked her the 11th richest model in the world. Congrats Liya.

Courtesy of NY Metro

Hi Nesha!

I am glad that you like the blog! I was about to write the new format, but I saw your post! First things first!

You told me your body type, taller with some weight. You are actually around my height. To help you better I would have to know how you carry your weight? Are you bottom heavy, top heavy, or like most women, have problem areas that overlap the different categories in fashion magazines.

1st tip: Find your colors.

As someone who has struggled with their weight before, it is hard to gain confidence while shopping. Sometimes a voluptuous body is a blessing and a curse. Figure out what colors compliment your skin and would draw people to you. I used to have an orange scarf that I would wear with a houndstooth jacket. People would stop me every day and compliment me on it. Shopping may be easier for you if you find the few go to pieces in certain colors that you need!

2nd tip- Find a few desginers whose fits compliment you. Don’t stress yourself trying on certain designers who will never make anything that fits you right.

Case in point, I have a butt…a booty…and a smaller waist. However, my booty is high and will never fit in to Citizens of Humanity/Rock and Republic correctly.  It fits very well into Levis, Joes, Chip and Pepper, Adriano Goldschmeid,  and Earnest Sewns. That’s who I look to when I want new jeans.

3rd tip- If you have a stomach-

Shirts and dresses with ruching does wonders.

If you have a stomach with a big butt and hips, wear something with a possible empire waist cut, or something similar. This way the shirt will flare out, minimize your hips and make your legs look smaller.  This will actually give you a nice silhouette.

Back Fat - 

If you have Back Fat, love handles, etc stay away from lycra, spandex tops. Honestly, no one has to know about your back fat until you take off your clothes. There are forgiving sweaters and t shirts. It is most easily avoidable if you go up in size and get a better fitting bra. I can do a post on lingerie for you on wednesday Nesha.

Structure your outfits, don’t segment your body.

If you have huge arms, don’t wear sleeves with tight keyholes and buttons that look like it’s forcing your arms out of the shirt. If you have a problem with the tummy area, and you want to wear a cropped jacket, use it with a longer non close fitting shirt.

Final tip- Accesorize

Spend money on great accessories, coats, handbags, shoes- People won’t notice your weight as much if you have a great accessory for people to marvel at!

Finally Nesha- If you are the weight and height distribution you told me, You should look to Tocorra and Jennifer Hudson(recent) for fashion ideas.

However do not do this!

Her back is just not toned enough for this.

Finally Nesha, as I am not sure what your style preference is, I have not selected any outfits. If you want to tell me what look you are going for, I will update the post with it.

Pics courtesy of bossip and google images

There are many wonderful fashion blogs on the internet today. It seems as though blogging has become our generation’s NY Times. Many people with internet access log into their favorite blogsites as soon as they get to work. It’s like checking email.

I was on a brief hiatus. I had to think of why this blog  mattered. It is one thing to like to look good, another to care about the fashion world. Some of us simply throw on clothes and go out the door. Others have an innate sense that makes them coordinate pieces that make them seem like they are trying to be fashionable.  And some of us really do care about the image that they present to the world.  Looking and feeling good is important…but it shouldn’t make one feel that they are inherently better or happier than another person.

I’d like to create an informed fashion reader. This site will focus on models, designers, some unfortunate celebrity fashion choices, sales and inspirations. Please feel free to ask questions as I check the comments.  Also, I’ve decided to have a format. Mondays will have a sales and shopping post. Wednesdays will have a fashion look theme- yellows, animal prints, etc, and Fridays will have a model spotlight.

Any fashion news will be randomly uploaded under a Fashion Flash.

Best,

Cherisse

Hello,

I am not ignoring you! I am thinking of different ways to organize this site and we will be back soon. I sooooo promise!

Designers Milla Jovovich (former fashion model and actress of The Fifth Element fame) and Carmen Hawk, launched their fashion line in the fall of 2003.  Although their bohemian influenced line is normally pricey, they have joined the ranks of many notable fashion designers, contributing a line to Target.

I am not quite sure how that works. Are you wearing designer, or are you wearing Target clothes. Nevertheless, you are not paying more than $40 for most things from this line and will not sacrifice style.

Here are a few samples of the line at Target:

Enjoy!!!!!!