Sharon Haver- style expert, online business success strategist for women entrepreneurs, fashion stylist, founder & editor in chief of FocusOnStyle.com

LOOK BETTER FOR LESS…

Dress Tips for a Meager Budget Inexpensive clothing, for the most part but not always, lacks the quality and workmanship of a better priced garment. I'm not telling you to spend money you don't have, I'm telling you to shop discriminatingly. There are certain thrifty things that you can get away with. Natural fibers like cotton and some wool can stand up to the scrutiny of a cheaper price tag. But be careful of color and sizing. White is usually OK across the price board, but typically the buttons and seaming don't pass muster. If the seams are skinny and ragged, forget it, there is nothing to do. But if the buttons are cruddy, just replace them with better buttons.

GIVE THE GIFT OF STYLE RENEWAL... Fashion and Beauty That Outlasts the Season Fashion and Beauty That Outlasts the Season Turn this holiday gift of style renewal into something romantic that you two can share. Always keep in mind that your girlfriend is ultimately wearing the goodies, so her thoughts as to what she is comfortable with rule- you are simply the actualizer into lambykin's fashion foray. Luckily, she admits to wanting a redo. Otherwise, self-servingly taking over the responsibility of revamping a loved one's wardrobe could transcend you to controlling cheeky cad statusů. and, no one wants that. Set the scene for presenting your gift. Play some super sexy Sade Lovers Rock . Toast a glass of your favorite

What to wear to the office Christmas party- dresses from Bloomingdales

Update: Bet you've come from a search engine to read FocusOnStyle dress tips on what to wear to an office Christmas party to get it right! WE'VE UPDATED THIS ARCHIVE STORY WITH A NEW VIDEO over at What to Wear to an Office Holiday Party. The original story for this post is below. What to Wear to the Office Christmas Party to look professional, appropriate, and festively chic. Oh, how that old day to evening dress metaphor always gets us tripped up and, there's no bigger tripper-upper than the office holiday party. It is rather absurd to think that just because it's a festive gathering you should arrive at the office wearing a cocktail dress. On the other hand, if your office

PLAID TO KNOW YOU…

PLAID TO KNOW YOU... Tricks To Wearing This Of-The-Moment Pounds-Plus Pattern Tricks To Wearing This Of-The-Moment Pounds-Plus Pattern But don't fret-- there are sooo many possibilities to explore tartan with this season that a girl could go utterly mad for plaid. There are oodles of bold plaids, Scottish plaids, glen plaids, color block plaids, box plaids, and argyles out there to go completely bonkers over. This fabric has a wonderfulclassic kind of quirkiness to it, if you know how to wear it the right way. Most of us do get somewhat kooky about the fear of looking larger. Hey, there's even a book, Does This Make Me Look Fat? (Villard) by Leah Felon who believes there are two kinds of

THE SUIT STRIKES BACK…

THE SUIT STRIKES BACK... The once fashion staple make a comeback The once fashion staple make a comeback Separates have been a mainstay in our wardrobes, and let's face it, good suits are darn expensive for something that typically can only be fashionably finagled with the switch of a blouse or shoe. Then, there's that generation who never wore anything more formal than a black sheath dress with a knit cardigan. Not to mention the Internet community who prides itself on the sportier the better. Wanna see more? After some time, the switch to the power suit can be almost as much fun as discovering your inner rock star. So here comes the fashion industry ready at the heels to

Dear Sharon: Designer logo handbags are all over the place. It seems like every magazine I flip through, every department store ad I notice, and just about every chichi woman I see is going loco over logos. I don't want to be left out of this trend. I need to get a new purse, but cannot afford to pay top dollar for some of these status bags. I've seen logo look-alikes in some stores in my mall that are hard pressed to distinguish from the real thing. What do you think? -Bag Lady Dear Bag Lady: What do I think? Just listen to the latest rant from the Cheerleaders For Fashion: Louis Vuitton. Gucci. Fendi. Dior. How do you spell it? We

What To Do When Classic Becomes Scarce Dear Sharon: When I saw the retail invasion of hip hugging, bellbottom, dangling, faded blue jeans I thought the cool kids today are going to be hippies again. Since I am mid-forty, I could relate to this trend. However, who would have thought that when it came time to replenish my classic straight-leg jeans stock, I would be faced with the dilemma of only seeing this hippie style or women's casual/dress jeans that have elastic waists or pleated fronts in the stores? I no longer can wear the styles I wore when I was a teenager and suddenly cannot find basic five-pocket "normal jeans". Even my favorite jean is now cut differently. I was so

Put your label on DESIGNER DENIM, designer jeans fit When Gucci paraded raw-edge weeeeeeeeell-worn jeans and jeans skirts down its Milan runway, Neo-Bohemian Chic was born. Look, I like designer clothes-- if not to wear, but to drool over-- as much as the next girl about town. But ripped jeans (no matter how many roses are embroidered on the skirt, or how many beads and feather flocks are appliqued to the pants) are just not my idea of true top designer form... it is only styling, baby. Trend junkies, go and get those bona-fide hip Gucci jeans (you probably had them on order before they made it to the stores anyway), but everyone else-- savor the flavor and have it

Holiday Shopping Hints For Those Who Never Want To Leave Home Yes, my damsel of be darned, bitter end holiday shopping, these are the sounds echoed by like minded and exasperated potential bearers of gifts who are being shaken and shook from the aisles of stores bloated with frenzied shoppers all after the same quest: To find the perfect present. In fact, according to a recent Xylo study, twenty-five percent of women named shopping as their top stress creator. Oh, the joy of it all. But there can be joy. You can give yourself the gift of unlimited hours of blissful sleep, while your inexplicably clever holidaypresents arrive after a mere few minutes-ok, a few hours for a whole list

Dear Sharon: On a recent plane trip, the woman sitting next to me was draped in a shawl to keep warm. I asked her what it was and she said “pashmina." Then, I started to notice a stole revolution all over the place… everyone seems to be wrapped up, except me! I spoke with a fashionable friend about shopping for one. She said I shouldn’t waste money on last year’s trend. My friend even offered to give me one of her old pashminas if I really was so desperate to covet this look. Is pashmina really passé? – To Have Or To Has Been Dear Has Been: Overdone. Overcooked. Saturated. Totally five minutes ago in real fashionable circles. So last

[Disclaimer: All questions must be submitted from a parent for those under 18 years of age]Dear Sharon: I'm writing for my 5th grade daughter. Here are her questions to you: I'm unsure of what would make me look not like a dork or not too fancy. Should I wear make-up? Where should I shop? Do you know any way for boys to get to like you! -Betwixt and Be 'Tween (AOL)Dear Betwixt and Be 'Tween: Before we go any further, my sweet diva-wannabe, be the star that you are, and forget about "getting" boys to like you. Boys like girls who love themselves… remember, you are your number one! Have the self-confidence to be the best that you can be to yourself and reaaaally

MATERNITY SHOW STOPPERS... What to Wear When You Are A Little Bit Pregnant Dear Sharon: I’m just about three months along and would love to keep my pregnancy private for a bit longer. I really need some maternity fashion tips to keep my bump under wraps until I'm ready to share it with the world. I’m exuberant about the baby, but not the type to keep talking about being a mommy-to-be and still not quite ready for “real” maternity clothes. What can I wear to camouflage my ballooning belly and appear stylish? – Seams To Be Extreme Dear Seams: Of course, you can constantly stand behind a large armchair, perpetually reposition a flower pot, or only be seen when peeking

DRESS BEFITTING OF THE WEDDING GUEST

DRESS BEFITTING OF THE WEDDING GUEST guide to what to wear and when to wear it guide to what to wear and when to wear it There is a respect factor to be in harmony with the occasion, but that doesn't mean you have to dress in the paradox of your personal style to feel welcome. Black has become a classic color when it comes to weddings like much else. But, some brides are still a bit superstitious about seeing a sea of darkness at their "I do" to-do-you might just want to pop this question if you are a bit unsure of her preferences. The same goes for wearing white… never be accused of competing with the bride! A

PERSONALITY BRAND KICKSTART: Become An Authentic Superstar...

Sharon Haver

LOOK BETTER FOR LESS…

GIVE THE GIFT OF STYLE RENEWAL…

DRESS FOR HOLIDAY SUCCESS

PLAID TO KNOW YOU…

THE SUIT STRIKES BACK…

LOCO FOR LOGOS- Get The Luxe Look In Logo Handbags For Less

GET THE CUSTOM JEANS YOU WANT

Put your label on DESIGNER DENIM

Top ten last minute cool Holiday Shopping Hints For Those Who Never Want To Leave Home

GOING, GOING, GONE… Pashmina Wraps Up

BASIC STYLE…

Maternity Fashion Tips: How to Master Showstopper Style When Pregnant

DRESS BEFITTING OF THE WEDDING GUEST

Female Entrepreneurs: Helping You & Your Business Get Out There!