Best Costume Ideas for Halloween 2011

Post 'em if you got 'em.

Here's my current fave: Gum on bottom of shoe

Boy Style

Check your calenderz. Fall's here (maybe, in some parts of the country). Time to ditch the flip-flops. All the stores are throwing boots at us, but what about when you want to wear actual shoes and/or don't want to own boots? I have not loved the shoes out there the past few years, but this year has some bright spots. Obviously lots of trends out there for the ladies, but one that keeps appearing is what I like to call the Preppy Boy/Witch Style shoe aka Oxfords. Urban Outfitters has a good representation.

I'm kind of on the fence about these and need some guidance - are people going to actually wear them this year? I think they were starting to appear last year because they seem very Twilight-ish, but now even Jennifer Aniston is wearing them on a Star Tracks. (Someone needs to dissect this photo asap - holy 90's!)



I think the socks on display throws me off. It's kind of cute, but overall I'm not won over...yet Where would I wear them other than work (with tights) or to run errands? They also don't look like they would work with skinny jeans. Would I end up feeling like a witch?

One shoe I have considered buying is the heel loafer (my term). Real Simple did a menswear for women's story and featured this outfit.
I probably wouldn't have liked this style otherwise, but these shoes look great! Enlarged are some other options from Nine West and Marc Jacobs. These are not in my closet yet because I'm still on the hunt for the "perfect pair" - heel not too high, comfortable, maybe a tassel?




For occasions other than work and fall parties what are you wearing? I'm considering buying a pair of Vans this year. In high school they were the skater shoe of choice, but now I kind of dig the simple design and thicker sole look. Perfect for a weekend morning when you want to grab breakfast at Neal's only to remember that they stop serving bfast at 10:30am and usually run out of biscuits an hour before that. You need quick shoes for those instances.

Nick Minaj: Killin' it at the VMAs

This is what subversive fashion looks like. Suck it, Gaga!

Sept 1st

Worst Dressed Men

Raleigh's racking up some more accolades - this week out of 40 cities we won the "35th worst dressed city for men". Congrats to all the City of Oaks males who made this possible. I think it's a little general to just say everyone looks like they're going to a golf course. Did GQ even check out downtown Raleigh? What about the small but growing hipster population? Boston won the #1 slot.

Fashion 2.0: Blogging Your Way to The Front Row- The Insider's Guide to Turning Your Fashion Blog into a Profitable Business and Launching a New Career, Vol. 1 (Volume 1) [Paperback]

On Shelves Now!


"In this first of its kind insider’s guide, Yuli Ziv, Style Coalition’s founder, reveals the secrets behind her own online success and that of her network, which represents more than 50 top fashion and beauty bloggers, in partnership with ELLE. You will find practical business advice on how to: - Brand yourself as a top blogger and sought-after influencer - Build valuable relationships with PR companies and brands - Secure invitations to important industry events - Work with advertising networks - Develop new revenue streams - Land spokesperson deals and large scale sponsorships - Position yourself at the forefront of the fashion blogosphere Full of action driven exercises, helpful resources and inspirational chapters by top fashion bloggers What I Wore, College Fashion, Gala Darling, Second City Style and Corporette, the book is packed with all the advice and motivation you need to take your blogging career to the next level!" ('ZON)

Style Icon: Fran Drescher

The other night, we were watching This Is Spinal Tap, and I found myself craving a cigarette. "But I hate cigarettes!" I thought. Then I realized: Fran Drescher is just making smoking look SO COOL. More about this look: the off-the-shoulder dress = hot. Earrings: perfect. Makeup: perfect heavy eye/light lip balance. And her hair! Normally I'm really not crazy about a total pullback, ballerina-style, but the gold comb she's wearing in her bun really sets off the look.

And her attitude! See left for the classic Drescher 'tude, about cancer, holding an adorable dog in a t-shirt. Style file: case closed.