Variations on a Halter Neckline

After making Rachel's dress last weekend and Kate's dress a few weeks ago, I got to thinking about halter necklines. They really are the perfect neckline for basically anyone and nearly any situation. Halters can minimize a large bust or maximize a small one. They can create a canvas for an interesting statement necklace or they can be the focal point of the neckline all on their own. They are perfectly appropriate for a formal affair or a casual beach top. Like I said, they're basically perfect. However, finding the perfect one for your body isn't always an easy task. That's why I've done it for you!

For the small-busted lady:

Chiffon Floral Halter Dress, Ebay, $32

BCBGMAXAZRIA Tiered Halter Top, Dillard's, $82.80

axcess Paisley Halter Top, Kohl's $36

BCBGMAX AZRIA Halter Top with Ruffle, Bluefly.com, $91

If you have a small bust, stick with a gathered or pleated high-neck halter. The extra fabric actually gives the illusion of a larger bustline. You can achieve the same effect with ruffles on a high neckline halter as well. This type of halter isn't always as flattering with large busts because sometimes the pleating or gathering can actually be spread out and distorted by a large bust underneath.

Speaking of larger busts here are the halters for you:

Plaid Halter Cabana Dress, Old Navy, $15

Silk Crossover Halter Dress, Ann Taylor, $168

Ruffle Halter Dress, Banana Republic, $130

Jersey Ruffled Halter Top, Zappos, $73

If you have a larger bust, keep an eye out for halters with plenty of room for "the girls," which often means gentle pleating or gathering at the bust area, creating a full "cup." Also, look for halters that have an open neckline in a gentle scoop or soft "v" shape. (If the "v" is deep, you can always layer a starpless cami underneath, too.) I personally prefer a halter strap that is a little more substantial than the first one pictured above because the larger pieces of fabric look more in proportion to the larger breasts they are holding up. But, if you are the kind of girl who has a larger bust but likes to show off her upper collarbone area, smaller straps would be a better choice for you.

And finally, girls with either very dainty shoulders or very broad, athletic shoulder should wear these:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Halter Top, 6pm, $76.80

Beaded Silk Halter Top, Neiman Marcus, $153

The straps on these halter tops are magical. They work on both tiny shoulders and broad shoulders alike and somehow manage to make both look amazing. Because they cross over the center of the shoulder, they can either broaden narrow shoulders or narrow broad shoulders. It's like an optical illusion with fabric. And it's brilliant.

Have I made a convincing argument for the halter neckline? I truly love their versatility- there are so many different variations to choose from that there really is a halter out there for everyone. Find yours now if you haven't already- trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Mommy Style

My friend Shannon is adorable and incredibly stylish. She also happens to be pregnant. She's the kind of girl who really puts together a fun and funky outfit. Well, here facebook status recently lamented the fact that there aren't enough hip maternity styles out there in the stores. She's a try-before-you-buy kind of girl- not so into the internet shopping. Anyway, this is my attempt to help her out a little (although as I mentioned she is pretty stylin', so she doesn't need much help from me). I believe she is due in June or July so these pieces are geared more towards the warmer weather. 

Liz Lange for Target Fuchsia Strapless Dress, Target, $39.99 (Also available in ivory)

Crochet-trim top, Old Navy, $18.50

Low-rise Super flare jeans, Old Navy, $25 (also available in light wash and white)

Knot-front top, Old Navy, $16.50 (Available in 3 other bright colors)

Oh Baby by Motherhood Floral Georgette Henley, Kohls, $17.99

Seersucker Real-Waist shorts, Old Navy, $22.50

Heidi Klum 3/4 Sleeve Drop-Waist Tunic, Motherhood, $24.99 (Also available in cobalt blue)

In my experience perusing the materinty options, I've found that most pieces are very basic- the colors are basic, the styles are basic. Basic, basic, basic. Which to me really translates to: boring, boring, boring. That's why I've picked mostly bright colors for the pieces above. I completely understand Shannon's frustration and I'm sure she's not the first pregnant woman to come to the realization that while she may want to dress in a hip and stylish fashion throughout her pregnancy, the options just aren't out there. But fear not, lovely pregnant women, I have a solution for you!

First, pick up these maternity basics- pieces that will fit your ever-expanding belly and use them as your base. Then, layer on other non-maternity items you may already own along with funky accessories and you'll feel more stylin' than you ever thought possible. Shannon is the kind of girl who loves bright colors and bling, so I'm gearing these selections towards her. However, the basic principle remains the same whether you like bright and bling-y or something more subdued. The following pieces are non-maternity, but would work perfectly at nearly any stage on pregnancy:

Sequin shrug, Arden B, $19.99 (Also available in gold)

70's Green and White Checkered Cropped Jacket, Etsy, $22 (I know you can't buy it in person as per Shannon's requirements, but isn't it adorable?)

Cotton Spandex Jersey Leggings, American Apparel, $26 (Available in 25 color choices- yes TWENTY-FIVE- as well as white w/black polka-dots)

Stud Adorned Top, Forever 21, $17.80

Two-Tone Bib Tunic, Forever 21, $24.80

Sleeveless Layer Over Knit Cardigan, Forever 21, $17.80

The final touch for any outfit- maternity or otherwise is the accessories. For this section I wil ignore Shannon's buy-it-in-person rule simple because fit isn't as much of an issue when purchasing accessories. We all like to be able to physically handle the pieces we are buying, but sometimes you find something so fabulous online that you let go of that rule! Accessories are our way to make outfits unique and to bring our own personality to them. This should be no different when dressing in maternity clothes, so break out the accessories that make you feel the most stylin' you there is.

A note on "maternity" jewelry: Keep necklaces to bust-length or shorter. This will help draw the eye upward to your face. Long necklaces will basically act like a big light-up arrow pointing to your pregnant belly. I'm not saying you don't want to draw attention to your belly, but the thing about it is that it sort of draws attention to itself just by nature. So wear necklines and jewelry that bring the focus up to your glowing countenance whenever possible.

Pink Purple Amethyst Chandelier Earrings, Etsy, $39.95

Vintage Button Bracelet, Etsy, $56

Converse One Star Washed Scarf, Target, $14.99

Silver Turquoise and Faux Coral Ring, Overstock, $19.99

I hope this post has been helpful for all you lovely pregnant ladies out there. However, never having been pregnant myself I understand if you feel I've missed the mark. If you've been pregnant and have found amazing maternity clothes somewhere, please leave a comment telling all about it. After all, pregnant women have as much right to style as the rest!

The Puffy Coat

Isn't it funny how quickly trends come back, or at least how quickly they seem to come back? I remember when I was in elementary school, the trend for winter coats was the long "puffy" quilted coat. Of course there were short versions as well, but I just remember that coat as being an iconic image from the 1980's. Fortuntately for us, the new 2010 versions are a lot nicer. It's been very cold and windy in PA lately and if I didn't already have plenty of warm winter coats, I'd be heading out for a "puffy" ASAP. I actually own a "puffy" but it's more of a marshmallow style than anything else. It's a down-filled, quilted ski parka and I love it, especially when I need to be outside shoveling snow or- you guessed it- skiing! However, it's not a particularly fashionable "puffy." "Puffy's" and "Puffers" are so popular right now, lots of stores have a separate "Puffer" category on their online shops, so they are very easy to find. If you're shopping online and don't see a "Puffer" option, search for "down," "poly-fil," and "quilted." Down filled puffers will be the most costly, but also the warmest. "Poly-fil" will be far less expensive in general, but also less bulky. "Quilted" refers to the top stitching on the coats- it hold the filling in place just like quilting on a blanket holds the layers and filling of the blanket in place. To make it easy for those of you considering investing in a "puffy" this year, here are my picks.

Target's are without a doubt the least expensive, but there are plenty of stylish and affordable options out there:

Mossimo Black Women's Fur Trim Parka, $39.98- originally $79.99 (Target)

Merona Women's Long Hooded Puffer Jacket, $28.00- originally $40.00 (Target)

Sonoma Life & Style Quilted Jacket, $52.50- originally $150 (Kohls)

Women's Frost Free Hooded Coat, $29.99-$44.99- originally $79.50 (Old Navy)

Calvin Klein High-Neck Puffer Coat, $79.99- originally $280 (Neiman Marcus)

Emily Long Puffer Coat, $129.99- originally $198.00 (Tommy Hilfiger)

The key to selecting and wearing any puffer is making sure that you don't get lost in the coat. That's exactly the problem with my marshmallow puffer coat: I look like a marshmallow. It also happens to be a short puffer, as opposed to the ones pictured above which are all the longer style. My advice: choose a puffer that is not too bulky and that has a belt or some type of emphasis at the waist. In pretty much all puffer cases, you've got the horizontal quilting working against you. Notice on the Calvin Klein puffer pictured above that the pockets are angled in toward the waist so that even though there is not a belt to emphasize and cinch the waist, the pockets help create the illusion of a narrow waist with their diagonal placement.

Happy Puffer Hunting! Leave a comment to tell me your opinion of puffers and puffies. Do you own one? Love it? Hate it? Tell me all about it!